Job descriptionThe Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Communication, The Visual and Digital Cultures Research Center is looking for a part-time (50 %) project coordinator within the ERC-funded project WALLS2BRIDGES -Media Production of Prison Communities.The ERC project WALLS2BRIDGES investigates how prison communities produce media and how these practices reshape understanding of justice across France, Türkiye, the UK, and the US. Against the backdrop of expanding incarceration regimes and enduring racial and social inequalities, WALLS2BRIDGES examines how incarcerated people, their families, and anti-prison activists engage in media production (from letters and newspapers to podcasts, films, and digital platforms) to contest dominant narratives and reimagine justice.The project conceptualizes prison communities as active media producers, foregrounding the interplay between media practices, systems of surveillance, sensory experience, and struggles for justice.Using a transnational and interdisciplinary approach, the project combines:Archival research on prison-produced media since the mid-1960's century;Qualitative interviews and collaborative research with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, families, and activists;Analysis of diverse media forms, including print, audiovisual, and digital content.Your roleThe position includes the following tasks:Project development and coordination (media & prison studies domain)You are responsible for developing, preparing, and coordinating project activities across one or more research strands. This includes:Analysing research contexts (e.g. prison media ecosystems, access conditions, NGO landscapes)Contributing to the design of research frameworks and comparative methodologiesDeveloping project plans and implementation timelinesMonitoring progress against objectives, milestones, and deliverablesCoordinating activities across international research sites (Türkiye, France, the UK, the US)Research and stakeholder coordinationMapping and liaising with NGOs, universities, activists, and media practitioners working in prison contextsSupporting fieldwork logistics and access processes where applicableFacilitating communication within the research team and with external partnersAssisting in the organization of workshops, meetings, and collaborative research activitiesDigital dissemination (website & podcast)Supporting the development and maintenance of the project websiteAssisting in the conceptualisation and production of project-related podcasts and other public-facing outputsCoordinating content contributions from team members and external collaboratorsEnsuring coherence between research outputs and public communication strategiesEthics and compliance supportSupporting the development and implementation of ethical protocols, particularly in relation to research with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individualsAssisting with ethics applications, consent procedures, and data management plansMonitoring compliance with institutional and ERC ethical guidelinesIdentifying and addressing ethical and operational risks in collaboration with the PI and teamPolicy support and institutional interfaceCoordinating reporting processes (ERC deliverables, internal and external reports)Organising inputs from team members and ensuring alignment across work packagesSupporting administrative and strategic planning tasks related to the projectResearch support and analysisAssisting in qualitative research processes and comparative analysisMonitoring research workflows for efficiency and coherenceSupporting the synthesis of findings for publications and reports
ProfileYou have a master degree in media studies, criminology, anthropology, or a related field or equivalent competences gained through prior work experience;Affinity with prison studies, media infrastructures, or social justice research;Strong organizational and project management skills;Experience with digital communication (websites, podcasts, or similar platforms);Familiarity with research ethics procedures;Proficient in Microsoft 365;Good oral and written knowledge of English, Dutch and preferably French and/or Turkish;Act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation;Have strong monitoring skills.
OfferWe offer a temporary contract for a period of one year (with the possibility of renewal).The planned start date is July 2026, or as soon as possible after that date.You will receive a gross monthly salary within pay band 8.1-10.1 of the pay scales of the Administrative and Technical Staff. Your entry-level grade (usually grade 8) depends on your relevant professional experience. Your salary is calculated proportionally on the basis of your employment percentage.You will receive meal vouchers, ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, group insurance, an income protection insurance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.We offer flexible working hours.You will have 40 days of annual leave and collective leave for 1 week when the university is closed, between Christmas and New Year.You will do most of your work at Stadscampus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.Want to apply?You can apply for this job through the University of Antwerp's online job application platform up to and including May 25 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:A CV (max. 3 pages)A motivation letter (max. 2 pages)A short statement (max. 1 page) outlining your relevant experience in project coordination, research, and/or working with sensitive or ethically complex contextsContact details of two refereesOptional: One or two examples of previous work (research, project outputs, or digital media work)The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the interview date. The interview will be conducted online between the 15th and 19th of June .If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the Frequently Asked Questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerp.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Ipek A. Çelik Rappas, Principal Investigator (ipeka.celik.rappas@uantwerpen.be)
The University of Antwerp is a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees' growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.