Research Assistant (Archival Research) – 3 months

[POSITION DESCRIPTION]

The research assistant will work remotely under the supervision of Dr Dahlia Simangan (PI) for a research project funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science titled, “Urban Sites of Peace and Conflict in Marawi City, Philippines: Just Another Brick in the Wall?” The project seeks to find out how local communities use key urban sites for building peace in war-torn cities. The scope of work entails transcribing and translating audio recording, visiting archives, managing references, reading and writing reports, and reporting regularly with the PI.

[QUALIFICATIONS]
  • Must be a Filipino based in the Philippines, preferably from Mindanao
  • A bachelor’s degree in any social science discipline is required but a postgraduate degree is preferred
  • Evidence of academic writing skills in English (e.g., sample publication)
  • Ability to communicate in Meranaw/Bisaya
  • Ability to undertake archival research
  • Familiarity with the Marawi Siege and the broader peace and conflict situation in Mindanao
[RESPONSIBILITIES]
  1. Complete a research preparatory meeting with the PI 
  2. Undertake an archival research of the following selected urban sites in Marawi City: bridges critical during the conflict, Grand Mosque, Bato Mosque, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and the I Love Marawi sign. These sites will be finalized in consultation with the RA.
  3. Report to the PI every two weeks through a Zoom meeting
[DELIVERABLES]
  1. A minimum 3,000-word written report (excluding references) for each site should consist of the following:
    – The history and cultural significance of the site
    – The relevance of the site during the Marawi Siege
    – The rebuilding plans for the site (including names of agencies involved, blueprints of the plans, and other relevant documents and information
    – Summary of available news articles and/or monitoring and evaluation of the rebuilding plan for the site
    – Photos of the site before and after the Marawi Siege
  2. List of references used in the report and a Zotero folder of those references
  3. Photos copies of archival materials, news articles, and other relevant reports
[SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES]
  1. Site reports on the bridges by September 30, 2021
  2. Site reports on the Grand Mosque and Bato Mosque by October 31, 2021
  3. Site reports on St. Mary’s Cathedral and I Love Marawi sign by November 30, 2021
[APPLICATION PROCEDURE]
  • Send a resume and sample publication to Dr Dahlia Simangan at simanganhiroshima-u.ac.jp with subject title: “Research Assistant (Archival Research)” by August 13, 2021.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom meeting tentatively scheduled on August 16, 2021. Additional details of the project will be shared during the interview.
  • Selected applicant is expected to start by September 1, 2021.