PhD Candidate in International History and Politics

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies is recruiting a

PhD Candidate in International History and Politics

PERIOD OF CONTRACT: Maximum duration contract, from September 1st 2023 to August 31st 2027 at the latest
ACTIVITY RATE: 100 %
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 15-01-2023

General description of the project

Race & SRH pioneers a new socio-history of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in postwar Britain that takes race as a lens of analysis. It examines the racialisation of SRH in Britain, examining how SRH charities, have problematised the SRH needs of minoritised individuals and the extent to which SHR activism has contributed to denouncing the racialisation of SRH. The proposed project offers a new history that will show how SRH was central to the making of postcolonial Britain, and also further our understanding of the way racial inequities in SRH emerged and have been sustained over time.

The project will develop three levels of analysis: the macro level, where international and national SRH policies are made; the meso level, where these laws and policies are translated into norms by SRH workers and activists; and the micro level, which centres on individuals experiences and the constraints and opportunities they face in navigating SRH services. The novelty of this project lies in its sustained focus on the experience of individuals from minoritised communities, not only as objects of SRH policies but as agents of change.

A key strand of the project is the history of minoritized SRH activism. The PhD student will conduct archival research on minoritized SRH activism between 1960-2020 and some oral history interviews with activists.

General description of the position

Research Assistant PhD candidate position as part of the SNSF-funded “Race and Sexual and Reproductive Health charities in postwar Britain from a transnational perspective (1960s-2020)” Eccellenza Project, under the supervision of Prof. Caroline Rusterholz (Department of International History and Politics). The Ph.D. candidate will be integrated into the Ph.D. programme of the Department of International History and Politics and hosted at the Gender Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

Mission and activities

• Conducting archival research on minoritised SRH activism across different sites in the UK, Netherland and Switzerland
• Developing and implementing a research project as part of strand 2 of the project under the guidance of Prof. Caroline Rusterholz and in partnership with the other team members. The recruited person will develop this work into a monograph project
• Scientific publications
• Presenting the research findings at conferences in Switzerland and abroad.
• Co-organising international conferences.
• Regularly participating in the collective activities of the project.
• Developing partnerships internationally as well as with charities.

Candidate’s profile

Essential:

• A master degree completed or near completion (or equivalent degree) in humanities.
• Practical experience of doing archival research
• Be familiar with methods, models and frameworks relevant to sexual-health research
• Have experience in using an intersectional approach
• Oral and written proficiency in English.
• Highly organized and capable of working autonomously to complete a PhD thesis
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in an international team

Desirable:

• Strong background in critical race theory or in reproductive justice.
• Experience in doing the history of activism

Further assets:

• Additional language skills

Advantages

• Research budget allowing short or extended research trips and academic training programs.
• Possibility of applying for FNS’s complementary measures under certain eligibility conditions (Flexibility Grant, mobility, “subside égalité”).
• An exciting and multicultural work environment at IHEID, with a dynamic team and a project embedded in a wide array of international collaborations.

Applications for this position should be submitted via the regular applications procedure for the Ph.D. in International History and Politics programme, which can be found here: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/application
In addition to the documents requested for application to the Ph.D. in International History and Politics programme, please also include a cover letter of maximum 2 pages outlining your motivation and interest in the topic of the thesis related to the SNF project on "Race and Sexual and Reproductive Health charities in postwar Britain from a transnational perspective (1960s-2020)" to which this Ph.D. research will contribute.

Please send an application file containing:

• A motivation letter including a subject line noting that you are applying for a PhD position within the project, Race and SRH charities in postwar Britain from a transnational perspective

• A detailed CV with a list of publications, if applicable.
• A copy of a published article/chapter or master thesis.
• A copy of your university degree certificates, alongside a copy of the official transcripts.
• The name and contact details of 2 references.

We kindly ask you to submit your application file either in Word or in PDF format, in English, or French.

Experiences outside of the academic world will also be valued in the assessment of applications, and gaps in the CV due to family or health conditions will be taken into account. Members of minoritized groups in academia are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please reach out to cr523@cam.ac.uk for any queries regarding the project and the scientific profile of this position.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, marital status, disability status, race, national origin, color, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

For more information, candidates are encouraged to consult the Institute’s website: graduateinstitute.ch

Please note that offers received by post won’t be considered.