Postdoctoral researcher in Urban Geography/Urban Studies
Introduction
With more than 15,000 students and more than 5,000 staff, the University of Lausanne offers a welcoming place for the brightest minds around the world to engage in critical and innovative thought. Its scenic campus is situated on the shore of Lake Geneva, close to the city centre of Lausanne, and is home to over 120 nationalities.
Presentation
The Department of Geography and Sustainability (IGD) at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) invites applications for the position of
Postdoctoral researcher in Urban Geography/Urban Studies
The position is part of the research team M3 (Materialities | Multiplicities | Metropolis) led by Professor Martin Müller, who will act as the advisor.
The Department of Geography and Sustainability is an interdisciplinary community of about 130 scholars working on space, place, and the environment. With 27 professors and more than 60 postgraduate students, the Department offers a vibrant and stimulating environment for cutting-edge research. It hosts regular lecture series and distinguished visiting scholars from around the world.
Job information
Job title: Postdoctoral researcher
Start date: as soon as possible
Duration of contract: 1 year
Activity rate: 100%
Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Your responsibilities
The successful candidate will develop research in a major grant relating to the pathways, practices and politics of cultural flagship buildings in the world. This could be a case study of a flagship building or a contribution to populating and analysing our existing global database of cultural flagship buildings. A detailed project summary is available here.
Candidates should demonstrate a link to the ongoing research of Prof. Martin Müller and his team. Current research topics include the decentering and decolonization of urban theory through the lens of the Global East and the rise of cultural capitalism in a global urban world. The methodological focus is open to quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches.
An extension of the contract duration may be possible, following the development and approval of a follow-up project (e.g. Swiss Postdoctoral Fellowships – SPF).
Your profile
We are looking for an individual to join our team with several of the following characteristics:
- PhD degree (or equivalent) in geography, urban studies or another field relevant to the position
- Experience with questions of culture and/or major projects in urban settings
- Expertise in qualitative or quantitative methods
- Experience with writing and publishing in English
- Team player in a multilingual, multidisciplinary environment
The following are considered assets, but not requirements:
- Experience with the construction and management of databases (e.g. FileMaker)
- Experience with advanced data visualisation
We welcome applications from candidates interested in long-term collaboration by developing a follow-up project and would like to hear more about your ideas regarding this in the cover letter.
What we offer
The team led by Professor Martin Müller produces critical knowledge to think cities otherwise. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, we take a global approach to our research, striving to address the challenges of sustainability. Our team operates primarily in English, with teaching conducted in both English and French.
We offer a dynamic and inclusive work environment, fostering a strong sense of community. We provide dedicated support for developing an academic career at the global level. Our team members are part of international networks and have many opportunities to attend conferences and workshops. They receive dedicated support for grant and paper writing.
The University of Lausanne offers an excellent remuneration package and additional funds for fieldwork and conferences. A comprehensive training programme and dedicated support are available to help you acquire the skills and make the right decisions for your professional career.
Your application
Deadline: 04 June 2023
Please submit the following documents in PDF format only via the University of Lausanne Careers website: https://tinyurl.com/554t2eb2
- Cover letter explaining how your profile matches the above criteria and your ideas of the research you would like to develop in this post
- Full Curriculum Vitae
- Names and e-mail addresses of two academic referees
- Scans of university diplomas and course transcripts/marks
- A piece of research (e.g. research paper, publication, PhD thesis etc.)
- A short (2 pages) proposal of the research you would like to develop in this project
Interviews are scheduled for 16 June 2023.
Contact for further information
Professor Martin Müller (martin.muller@unil.ch)