Scientific Project Assistant (PhD Candidate) in Social and Cultural Anthropology
Join a groundbreaking ethnographic study on utility cycling in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as a PhD candidate in social sciences.
Best for:Best for anthropologists with strong ethnographic fieldwork experience, fluent English and Indonesian language skills, and a passion for social inequality research in Southeast Asia.
Overview
This PhD position at the University of Vienna offers the opportunity to conduct ethnographic research on everyday utility cycling in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The project, titled *Cycling Together/Bersepeda Bersama*, explores mobility, mediation, and social inequalities through the lens of cyclists dependent on bicycles or tricycles for daily transport. The successful candidate will collaborate with Associate Prof. Sanderien Verstappen and the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, contributing to academic publications and project activities while enrolled in the Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences. The role combines fieldwork, research, and administrative support within a four-year fixed-term contract.
What you'll do
- Conduct ethnographic research on utility cycling practices in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, including urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
- Develop and defend a research proposal within the first year, followed by on-site fieldwork in Yogyakarta during the second year.
- Complete a PhD dissertation aligned with the guidelines of the Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences within four years.
- Actively participate in project meetings, public outreach, data management, and research ethics procedures.
- Collaborate with the principal investigator, research team, stakeholders, and research participants in Yogyakarta and Gadjah Mada University.
- Enroll in doctoral courses and pass exams at the Vienna Doctoral School of Social Sciences.
- Contribute to academic publications, both as a single-author and co-author.
Requirements
Degree required: Recently completed or near-completion of a Master's degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology or a related Social Sciences degree with elective courses in Social and Cultural Anthropology.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English (C1 level) and Bahasa Indonesia (minimum proficiency).
Instruction: English
- Proven experience in on-site ethnographic fieldwork, demonstrated in a completed or near-completed master’s thesis.
- Excellent command of English (C1 level) and at least one Indonesian language (minimum Bahasa Indonesia).
- Strong academic writing and speaking skills.
- High level of social skills and self-organization.
- Adaptability and sensitivity to diverse field sites.
- No explicit nationality or residency restrictions mentioned.
- Applicants must have recently completed or be near completion of a relevant master’s degree.
- No age restrictions mentioned.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-04
Applicants must submit their application via the University of Vienna’s website. The application package includes a letter of motivation, a research project proposal, a master’s degree/diploma, a list of courses with grades, a sample of academic writing (e.g., a section of the MA thesis), a CV with two referees’ email addresses, and a list of ethnographic fieldwork outcomes.
- Letter of motivation (max 2 pages)
- Research project proposal (max 2 pages)
- Master’s Degree/Diploma
- List of courses taken with grades
- Sample of academic writing (e.g., section of MA thesis)
- Curriculum Vitae (including two referees’ email addresses)
- List of ethnographic fieldwork outcomes
Contact
Sanderien Verstappen· Principal Investigator
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