About Position/Job
The Austrian Academy of Sciences, through its Institute for Social Anthropology (ISA), is inviting applications for a Postdoc in Environmental Anthropology with a focus on Southeast Asia, particularly Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. This 11-month funded postdoc (starting February 2026) offers a unique opportunity to develop an ERC Starting Grant examining how waste and environmental change reshape indigenous Ngaju Dayak communities’ relationship with their environment. The project combines anthropological scholarship on waste with insights from new animism studies, offering a distinctive interdisciplinary approach. The postdoc will engage in fieldwork, community-based research, and international collaboration, contributing to ISA’s mission of advancing environmental anthropology and fostering innovative research on human-environment interactions in Southeast Asia.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoc
- Institution: Austrian Academy of Sciences
- Department: Institute for Social Anthropology (ISA)
- Research field: Environmental Anthropology
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Number of posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Temporary Postdoc
- Start Date (Anticipated): February 2026
- Working Hours: 40 hours per week
- Salary Range: €69,028.40 gross per year
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Where Did We Come From? Turn the Page and See
Research Area
- Environmental Anthropology
- Waste Studies and Human-Environment Relations
- New Animism and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Southeast Asian Anthropology
- Fieldwork Methodologies and Community Research
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in social anthropology, specialising in environmental anthropology
- Long-term fieldwork experience (minimum 24 months) with rural communities in Central Kalimantan
- Fluency in Indonesian and Ngaju languages
- Proven publications in leading anthropological journals
- Experience in interdisciplinary research
Preferred Qualifications:
- Existing local connections and research networks in Kalimantan
- Experience developing grant proposals, particularly ERC submissions
- Strong collaborative and communication skills
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and prepare an ERC Starting Grant proposal for submission in autumn 2026
- Conduct in-depth research on indigenous human-environment interactions and waste management
- Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration within ISA’s Environmental Anthropology group
- Disseminate research findings through academic publications and presentations
Application Process
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file via the OeAW online platform.
Required Documents:
- Cover letter (max 2 pages) detailing eligibility, proposed research site, and local connections
- Academic CV with publications
- Research proposal (1,500–2,000 words)
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 16 December 2025
- Deadline: 26 December 2025, 23:55 (Europe/Brussels)
- Interview Date: Not specified
Useful Links
- Institution Website: Austrian Academy of Sciences – ISA
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply now: Apply here
More Job opportunities: click here
