Fully-funded PhD Fellowship Opportunity in Visual Communication and Peacebuilding at swisspeace: 100% Full-time

A Fully-Funded PhD Fellowship in Visual Communication and Peacebuilding at swisspeace is now available. This 100% full-time position offers a unique opportunity to explore the role of visual communication in peacebuilding, particularly focusing on Colombia. Interested candidates can apply by May 30, 2025. Join a transformative research project that merges theory and practice to create actionable insights in conflict zones.

Fully-funded PhD Fellowship Opportunity in Visual Communication and Peacebuilding at swisspeace: 100% Full-time

Background & Job Description

Are you passionate about visual communication, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation? swisspeace, a leading practice and research institute in peacebuilding, is offering a fully-funded PhD fellowship in collaboration with the University of Basel. This fellowship is part of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) project, From Pixels to Peace: The Role of Visual Communication in Conflict Transformation.

The project focuses on understanding how visual media plays a role in promoting peace in post-conflict settings, particularly in Colombia. As a PhD Fellow, you will have the opportunity to be part of an innovative and interdisciplinary team that merges visual communication with peace and conflict studies. This position is designed to contribute to the academic and practical understanding of how visual representation can be a tool for peace in fragile environments.

This opportunity will also involve fieldwork in Colombia, offering you direct engagement with local communities while exploring the connection between visual media and local peacebuilding efforts. Your research will aim to bridge gaps between academic theories and practical, on-the-ground peacebuilding applications, making it ideal for those interested in both the academic and real-world applications of their work.

Tasks

As a PhD Fellow in Visual Communication and Peacebuilding, your primary responsibilities will include:

1. Conducting High-Quality Research:
   You will focus on researching the role of visual communication in peacebuilding processes, with a particular emphasis on everyday peace and the local turn in peacebuilding, especially in Colombia. This will include qualitative data collection, analysis, and writing of a doctoral dissertation.

2. Fieldwork in Colombia:
   You will conduct extensive fieldwork, collaborating with local communities to gather qualitative data. This hands-on experience will allow you to understand local narratives of peace and the role visual representations play in peacebuilding efforts in post-conflict environments.

3. Academic Contribution:
   You will contribute to the overall academic body of knowledge in the field of peacebuilding, publishing papers, and presenting findings at international conferences. You will also collaborate with the project team on additional research outputs that aim to advance peace studies and visual communication.

4. Collaboration and Supervision:
   You will work closely with a diverse team of faculty members and fellow researchers from swisspeace, the University of Basel, Karlstad University (Sweden), and Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). Regular collaboration and supervision will help guide your research journey and contribute to your professional development.

5. Doctoral Course Participation:
   As part of your fellowship, you will engage in various doctoral courses at the University of Basel, gaining academic credits while enhancing your knowledge in peacebuilding and communication studies.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

• Master’s Degree in political science, peace and conflict studies, international relations, or a related field.

• Relevant academic background in visual communication, media studies, or related disciplines is a plus.

• Proficiency in English is required. Additional proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable, especially for fieldwork in Colombia.

Experience

• Strong research background, particularly in qualitative research methods.

• Previous work or study experience related to peacebuilding, conflict transformation, or visual media.

• Experience working in or with conflict-affected regions, preferably in Latin America, is an advantage but not mandatory.

• Familiarity with Colombia’s socio-political context is a plus.

• A keen interest in exploring the intersection between visual communication and peacebuilding.

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive Salary: The fellowship offers a competitive salary according to the SNSF and University of Basel regulations.

• International Research Environment: The position provides the opportunity to collaborate with renowned experts and work within a dynamic international team.

• Fieldwork Opportunities: The PhD Fellow will gain hands-on fieldwork experience in Colombia, making this a unique opportunity to contribute to practical peacebuilding efforts.

• Conferences and Policy Exposure: You will have the opportunity to attend international conferences and engage with policy networks, enhancing your visibility in the global peacebuilding community.

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following documents (in English) by May 30, 2025, via the swisspeace online portal:

1. Cover Letter – Include a brief summary of your research interests related to everyday peace, visual peace communication, or participatory methods.

2. CV – Full Curriculum Vitae with the names of at least two referees.

3. Diplomas and Academic Transcripts – Copies proving eligibility for doctoral studies at the University of Basel.

4. Sample Academic Work – Submit a sample of your written work, such as your MA thesis, a seminar paper, or a published article.

5. Applications must be submitted through the swisspeace portal; applications submitted through other channels will not be considered.

For further information or inquiries, candidates are encouraged to contact the swisspeace project team directly at +41 61 551 56 26.

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