Ph.D. position - Animal Communicators: Intuitive communication as a key to dialogic multispecies methods

Three 3 Ph.D. positions (4 years, full time) are opening at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Liège (ULiege) in a collective research project that explores intuitive interspecies communication and the collaboration with animal communicators and Indigenous knowledge holders in the development of novel multispecies methods.

This project is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator programme.

Project: Animal Communicators: Intuitive communication as a key to dialogic multispecies methods

Tasks for each Ph.D. candidate:

• Conduct ethnographic field research (11 months in total)

• Write and complete a Ph.D. dissertation within four years
• Participate in the scientific activities of ANICOM and the Faculty of Social Sciences at ULiege
• Submit for publication a minimum of two articles or book chapters
• Present research results in international conferences

Requirements and preferred profile:

• An MA degree in anthropology, sociology, political science, human-geography, regional/area studies, Indigenous studies, human-animal studies, more-than-human studies or another relevant field.

• Relevant experience with ethnographic research, ideally in one of the locations of fieldwork or with Indigenous groups elsewhere. Experience in fieldwork with animals is also highly appreciated.
• Language skills: All applicants must be fluent in English. For the relevant case studies, French or Flemish, Shona, Finnish or a Sámi language, Hindi or Cree are desirable.
• Strong (academic) writing skills and experience with video are appreciated.
• Enthusiasm for the research subject and the ability to bridge and translate between different worlds.
• Openness to work across academic, disciplinary, cultural and species divides.
• Curiosity towards methodology and the development of cutting-edge research approaches.
• Competency and confidence to work proactively and independently on-campus and in field situations.
• Be a valuable, committed and generous contributor to an academic team.
• Responsible, ethical and trustworthy in the work they do.
• Candidates with non-Western, Indigenous or other minority backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
• Passionate candidates who do not fulfil all requirements (yet) are encouraged to apply.

Application:

Applications must be submitted electronically in English to vanessa.wijngaarden@uliege.be latest 7 October 2024 with the message title ‘Ph.D. application ANICOM’. The following documents must be attached to the email in three separate PDF files:

1) In the first file, named ‘ANICOM_applicant last name_A’: (a) a motivation letter (maximum 700 words); (b) a full curriculum vitae with detailed information on degree results and language skills; and (c) the names and contact details of two reference persons.

2) In the second file, named ‘ANICOM_applicant last name B’: a short research proposal (singlespaced, maximum 1500 words). In this proposal the applicant may reflect on their personal relationship with IIC, outline how they would carry out their preferred case studies, and give an impression of how they would contribute to the team.

3) In the third file, named ‘ANICOM_applicant last name C’: one writing sample (e.g. article, draft, report, conference paper, essay or MA thesis chapter) in English, preferably showing the applicant’s ability to use (ethnographic) methods and theorize (single-spaced, maximum 10,000 words). If the candidate would prefer to submit a sample in French, please enquire into this option with the PI per email (see below).

In a second phase, short listed candidates will be interviewed remotely at the start of November 2024. The interview will be based on their application, scientific track-record and proposed ideas and reflections. Interviewees will be notified shortly after the interview. Successful nominees will be expected to start in Liège early February 2024.