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

PhD Fellow Opportunity in Visual Communication and Peacebuilding at swisspeace

Join the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Project: From Pixels to Peace

Location: Basel, Switzerland
Position: PhD Fellow (100% Full-time)

About the Position

swisspeace is seeking a passionate and driven individual to join their PhD program in political science at the University of Basel. This opportunity is part of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) project titled “From Pixels to Peace: The Role of Visual Communication in Conflict Transformation”. The project will explore the connection between visual communication and peacebuilding, focusing on Colombia as a case study.

As a PhD Fellow, the selected candidate will embark on a transformative research journey, contributing to the project’s goal of understanding and analyzing the role of visual representations in promoting peace.

The research will focus on “everyday peace” and the local turn in peacebuilding, offering a unique interdisciplinary approach that combines visual communication with peace and conflict studies.

The fellowship offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a cutting-edge research project while engaging with both academic and practical spheres of peacebuilding. Through this program, fellows will collaborate with a dynamic team of experts, gain field experience in Colombia, and make substantial contributions to peace communication.

Research Focus

The SNSF project seeks to explore how visual representations can promote peace in environments where peace is fragile, partial, and negotiated. Key research themes include:

• The role of visual media in peacebuilding processes.
• How visual communication can convey everyday peace in post-conflict settings.
• The impact of local representations of peace in Colombia.

The project aims to bridge academic research with practical applications, providing actionable insights for NGOs, media professionals, and policymakers working in conflict zones.

PhD Fellow Responsibilities

The PhD Fellow will be responsible for:

• Conducting high-quality research on visual communication and its role in peacebuilding, with a particular focus on everyday peace and local peace narratives.
• Engaging in fieldwork in Colombia, collecting qualitative data, and working closely with local communities.
• Completing a doctoral dissertation and contributing to additional research outputs.
• Participating in doctoral courses and gaining credits at the University of Basel.
• Collaborating with the project team, which includes faculty from swisspeace, University of Basel, Karlstad University (Sweden), and Università della Svizzera italiana (USI).
• Presenting research findings at international conferences and organizing research dissemination events to share results with broader audiences.

Required Profile

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., political science, peace and conflict studies, international relations, or similar).
• Strong interest in visual/political communication, qualitative research, and peace studies.
• Familiarity with the Colombian context, and proficiency in Spanish is an advantage.
• Excellent English writing skills (additional languages, especially Spanish, are considered a plus).
• Passion for conducting field research and applying creative research methods to address conflict-related challenges.
• Ability to collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team, contributing to both academic research and practical peacebuilding efforts.

What swisspeace Offers

This fully funded 4-year PhD position offers the following benefits:

• A competitive salary aligned with SNSF and University of Basel regulations.
• An innovative research project that bridges multiple disciplines, offering the opportunity to influence both academic theory and real-world practice in peacebuilding.
• Close supervision by renowned experts, including Professors Laurent Goetschel, Isabel Prinzing, Katharina Lobinger, and Cornelia Brantner.
• A collaborative, international, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for fieldwork in Colombia, contributing directly to the research context.
• Access to academic conferences, exposure to policy networks, and opportunities to disseminate findings globally.
• A dynamic project team, offering a blend of academic rigor and practical experience in peacebuilding.

How to Apply

To apply, interested candidates should submit the following documents (in English) by May 30, 2025:

1. Cover letter, including a ½-page summary of research interests related to everyday peace, visual peace communication, or participatory methods.
2. Complete CV with names of 2 referees.
3. Copies of relevant diplomas proving eligibility for doctoral studies at the University of Basel.
4. Sample written academic work, such as an MA thesis, seminar paper, or published article.

Applications must be submitted through the swisspeace online portal. Applications submitted by other means will not be accepted.

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

About swisspeace

swisspeace is a leading practice and research institute focused on advancing effective peacebuilding. By working with both local and international actors, swisspeace fosters collaborative partnerships to reduce violence and promote sustainable peace in conflict-affected regions. The institute offers postgraduate programs and training for peacebuilding professionals, contributing to global efforts to build a more peaceful world.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding