Aarhus University, Department of Anthropology

Two postdoctoral positions in the anthropology of migrant health (Nepal) at the Department of Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology, School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University invites applications for two 2.5 years fixed-term postdoctoral positions in the anthropology of migrant health, Nepal.

The appointments begin on 1 October 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The successful applicants will be based at the School of Culture and Society, Department of Anthropology, Aarhus University, Moesgaard Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg.

The university is keen for its staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified applicants regardless of their personal background.

Research context

We are looking for innovative scholars with a background in anthropology of Nepal preferably with a specialisation in medical anthropology and migrant or workplace anthropology.

Ordinary infections have been projected to become the most common cause of death by 2050 due to the increase globally of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The project AMR@LAB addresses the increasing global problem of AMR with a particular focus on the vulnerable category of labour migrants working in northern India and southern Nepal. The project develops a biosocial network analysis that makes it possible to link individuals, pathogens, workplaces, medicines and service providers into a comprehensive multi-scalar analysis of the dynamics between these actors as drivers of or barriers to development and transmission of AMR. This approach creates a shared analytical platform across the disciplines of anthropology, microbiology, public health and pharmacology that otherwise tend to work independently. AMR@LAB furthermore questions dogmas in global health policies that tend to separate drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) from AMR more broadly; public from private healthcare; and occupational health from risk of infection. These are explored through a focus on mobility across boundaries that define healthcare delivery.

The position

The successful applicants are expected to conduct fieldwork in two workplaces with a high density of migrant workers (six months at each site) located in different southern provinces of Nepal. The work requires mastery of ethnographic (qualitative) data collection under potentially challenging conditions and proven mastery of anthropological analysis; ability to conduct (or learn to conduct) mapping, survey and network analysis; and facilitation of biological sampling. While working independently and under supervision in the field, approaches must be coordinated and aligned across all field sites where simultaneous data collection takes place.

The successful applicants will be based at the Department and are expected to participate in project activities pertaining to the project “AMR and Labour Migration Across Boundaries” (AMR@LAB) (https://projects.au.dk/amrlab), and in departmental activities.

Process and application

Applicants are asked to submit:

• a concise statement of motivation for applying for the position (max. 1 page)
• a maximum of five publications
• a CV stating experiences and qualifications of relevance to the position (max. 1 page)
• a teaching portfolio

Following the deadline for the positions, the applicants will be shortlisted. Applicants, who are shortlisted, will receive a copy of the project description and shall, on this basis, develop a research proposal regarding the specific components that they shall be involved in (max. 3 pages). They will have one week to submit this document after receiving the project description. Guidance regarding the structure and content of the research proposal will not be provided.

The successful applicant will be expected to:

• develop their research within the framework provided by the project and under supervision of the project PI

• have an interest in the anthropology of infectious diseases and migrant health

and engage systematically and thoroughly with the literature and theories of medical, migration and workplace anthropology as well as other topics of relevance to the project

• contribute to the development of theory of central interest to the project
• present their research at international meetings and collaboratively publish results in peer-reviewed, international scientific journals and in other forms, as required in the project
• contribute to the organisation of research workshops and international conferences hosted by the project
• possess or develop proficiency with necessary software for research purposes, such as Nvivo, SPSS and Gephi
• teach at BA and/or MA level at the Department (maximum 20%, by agreement)
• engage in necessary travel for project meetings in India and Nepal, as per project needs
• work in an interdisciplinary team and be interested to contribute and learn beyond own disciplinary background

Teaching

The position will involve some teaching as agreed between the Head of the Department and the project PI.

Knowledge exchange

The successful applicant will be expected to exchange knowledge with various sectors of society and to contribute actively to public debate in areas related to the position, including in Nepal.

Qualifications

Applicants for this position must hold a PhD degree, or document the level of PhD,  in anthropology or a related field (e.g. sociology, development studies), or document by way of a signed statement by the main supervisor that a PhD thesis has been or will be submitted no later than 1st September 2022 with an expectation of a successful outcome.

Applicants must document:

• doctoral-level experience of ethnographic fieldwork in one or more of the fields of anthropology of medicine, migration or workplaces, preferable in Nepal or South Asia
• an international research profile
• fluency in written and spoken Nepali and English

Assessment

The research activities will be evaluated in relation to the actual research time. We therefore encourage applicants to specify any periods of leave they may have had without research activities (e.g., maternity/paternity leave), so we can subtract these periods from the span of their academic career when evaluating their productivity.

Please upload a maximum of five publications alongside your application.

Only submitted publications will be assessed; a list of publications is not sufficient. As a result, applications without submitted publications will not be assessed.

Professional references or recommendations should not be included. Applicants who are selected for an interview may be asked to provide professional references.

The application must be submitted in English.

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Jens Seeberg, jseeberg@cas.au.dk

For more information about the application please contact HR supporter Marianne Birn, e-mail mbb@au.dk.

The work environment

The Department of Anthropology is among the strongest in Europe and attracts guest researchers, PhD students and students from across the world. Our teaching is deeply anchored in our research, with particular specialisations in the fields of globalisation and development, innovation and design, and medical as well as visual anthropology.
Read more: https://cas.au.dk/en/about-the-school/departments/anthropology/

School of Culture and Society

At the School of Culture and Society the object of research and teaching is the interplay between culture and society in time and space:

• From the traditional disciplines of the humanities and theology to applied social research
• From Antiquity to the issues facing contemporary societies
• From local questions to global challenges.

The school’s goal is to produce compelling research with an international resonance, as well as offering teaching and talent development of high quality. The school has a broad cooperative interface with society, both in Denmark and abroad, and contributes to social innovation, research communication and further and continuing education. 

For further information about the school, please see http://cas.au.dk/en/.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/