Postdoc on queer of colour movement intellectuals in the Netherlands and the UK

19 Mar 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Cultural studies » American studies
Cultural studies » European studies
History » Contemporary history
History » Social history

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Application Deadline

24 Apr 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Country

Netherlands

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

32.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

With this Postdoc you will join the NWO Vidi project Fabulous Subjects: Queer Intellectuals and their Archives, participating actively in the intellectual life of a research group and contributing to an innovative study of queer organic intellectuals.
Your job
In this Postdoc position, you will study the work and archives of queer of colour intellectuals active in the Netherlands and the UK in the 1980s and 1990s. To do so, you will delve into both personal and movement archives, you will engage with existing theories of queer of colour cultural practices (e.g., Ferguson 2004; Muñoz 2009; Nyong’o 2018), and you will build on and contribute to a growing body of scholarship on queer of colour formations in Europe, especially in the Netherlands and the UK (e.g., Colpani and Isenia 2018; El-Tayeb 2011; Frank 2019, 2023; Kini 2020; Okundaye 2024).
Within this framework, you will focus on how queer of colour writers, artists, filmmakers, and other cultural workers – as “organic intellectuals” – helped establish links between the Dutch and British contexts, thus contributing to the emergence of a queer of colour movement and culture across European borders. At the same time, you will research how the contributions of these intellectuals have been recorded in both personal and movement (queer, Black, and queer of colour) archives.
This Postdoc is part of the larger NWO Vidi project Fabulous Subjects: Queer Intellectuals and their Archives, whose twofold goal is to develop a theory of the queer organic intellectual while identifying the specific features of queer intellectuals’ archives. The project focuses on the place of intellectuals in European queer and trans communities and movements from the 1970s to the present.
Your main duties and responsibilities include:

• developing an independent research plan based on the general framework of the Postdoc position, in alignment with the broader Vidi project;
• conducting high-quality empirical research (archival research and cultural analysis);
• contributing to the development of a theory of the queer intellectual in close collaboration with the research team (including the PI and the PhD);
• publishing in leading international peer-reviewed journals and contributing to a final edited volume;
• presenting research findings at international conferences and workshops;
• supporting the organization of academic events (e.g. a summer school);
• engaging in practices of public engagement and research dissemination in close collaboration with heritage institutions involved in the project;
• participating actively in the intellectual life of the research group, including seminars, reading groups, and collaborative writing processes.

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/359449/postdoc-on-queer-of-colour-move…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

The ideal candidate for this Postdoc position must have:

• a PhD degree in a relevant scientific discipline in the Humanities or Social Sciences, including but not limited to Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Literary Studies, or History;
• solid familiarity with queer theory and queer of colour critique;
• previous knowledge of the topic and experience of archival research and cultural analysis;
• an excellent command of English (additional knowledge of Dutch is an advantage);
• strong academic writing skills.

Additional Information
Benefits

• a 0.8 FTE position for 24 months;
• a gross monthly salary between € 3,546 and € 5,538 in the case of full-time employment (38 hours per week), salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development , various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities . You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development.
For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.
To apply, please send the following documents via the 'apply now' button (all documents should be submitted as a single PDF document):

• a detailed CV including: full address and contact details, education trajectory, list of academic publications, conference activity, language proficiency, and any other relevant information;
• a letter of motivation, stating your reasons for applying, why your background and expertise fit the position, and how you intend to contribute to the project;
• a writing sample in English (e.g., PhD thesis chapter or published article/book chapter);
• name and contact information of two persons who are familiar with you as a researcher and can provide references.

The estimated starting date of the position is 1st October 2026.

Additional comments

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Gianmaria Colpani at g.colpani@uu.nl .
Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/359449/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Utrecht

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3512EV

Street

Muntstraat 2A

Geofield

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED

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