Junior Researcher position at Menedék Egyesület (lejárt)

Background of the project

Europe has been built and continues to be rebuilt at the convergence of innumerable migration
trajectories. In the long run, the traces of migration processes are often effaced and sedimented into
‘native’ society. But many communities, civil society actors, public authorities, small businesses,
religious institutions, leisure organisations, etc. have records and living memories of these migration
processes, or indeed, are actively engaged in forging the integration of relatively newly arrived
migrants. These actors, we submit, produce and co-constitute living ‘arrival infrastructures’
throughout urban, suburban and rural communities in nine different pilot sites in Turkey, Greece,
Hungary, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK.

Beyond the assumption that scaffolding and channeling of arrival and settlement processes comes
through formal channels, agencies and programmes, ReROOT brings into view a wider constellation of
actors, most notably previous generations of migrants who, together with ‘natives’ are co-creators of
shops as information hubs, religious sites (churches or mosques), local labour offices, language classes,
hairdressers, leisure clubs etc. ReROOT investigates the interactions, the transfers of knowledge and
resources between first-comers and late-comers, the sedimented practices, organisations and
provisions (whether private or public), as well as the transformations of all these through the recent,
post-2015 arrival processes.

ReROOT is dedicated to analyse, diagnose and learn lessons from past and recent transformations of
arrival and integration processes, with the explicit goal of fostering sustainable, evidence-based
integration practices, policies and public imaginaries. ReROOT is dedicated to unpack – with the help
of migrants and a wide range of stakeholders – the nexus of migratory mobility and societal
transformation in order to further inclusive and redistributive integration processes. Most importantly,
ReROOT situates its impact in the transfer of knowledge, methods and analytical tools and reflexive
methods to civil society and public service stakeholders. To that end, ReROOT develops and tests
mapping toolkits and platform prototypes for policy makers and civil society – for them to continue
the work ReROOT can only begin to do.

Menedék will research the recent student migrations into Budapest in the wake of the rapid breaking
down of arrival infrastructures in Hungary since 2015.

Job description:

• Contacting foreign students in Hungary and conducting interviews concerning learning mobility
• Conducting interviews with Tempus Public Foundation concerning the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme
• Contacting host Universities (ELTE, University of Debrecen, Semmelweis University, etc.), and conducting interviews with university staff responsible for the admission, reception and education of foreign students (lecturers, exchange programmes coordinators, Erasmus coordinators, study administration etc.)
• Participating in site research and conducting pilot interviews with international students
• Press monitoring (printed and digital media) about news related to international students studying in Hungary
• Exploring and gathering social media platforms that can contribute to the analysis of networks and information sources of international students in Hungary
• Participating in the development of media analysis training material under WP2.

We are looking for candidates with:

• An appropriate degree in Sociology or a related discipline.
• A strong motivation and scientific curiosity
• A strong interest in and experience with qualitative research methods
• High proficiency in English (oral and written)
• Strong organization and communication skill
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with team members
• Ability to work under time pressure and to meet strict project deadlines

How to apply:

Please apply by sending your application (CV and motivation letter) to menedek@menedek.hu.

Application deadline: 14. May 2021

Vacancy type: Junior researcher

Contract: limited duration, direct contract

Place of employment: Budapest

Expected start date: 24th of May, 2021