The Department of Anthropology at the School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Anthropology. This position is part of the Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond (Independent Research Fund Denmark, DFF) research project, “Beyond the Hoof: How Cattle Production shaped landscapes and anthropological knowledge of the Kalahari Desert.” It is a full-time, two-year fixed-term appointment within the Faculty of Arts, running from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028.
The research project examines how cattle production and related infrastructures have shaped landscapes and anthropological knowledge of the Kalahari Desert. The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for a work package investigating contemporary cattle expansion, its implications for cultural and natural heritage, and how communities experience and perceive these transformations in Botswana.
The role involves substantial ethnographic fieldwork in Botswana, including interviews, community-based mapping, oral histories and participation in ecological surveys. The successful candidate will also contribute to literature reviews, publications, conferences, interdisciplinary research, project coordination, and the theoretical and methodological development of the wider “Beyond the Hoof” project.
Applicants should hold a PhD in Anthropology or equivalent qualifications in environmental humanities, geography, political ecology or archaeology. Relevant experience may include landscapes, infrastructure, agricultural development, human-wildlife conflict, hunter-gatherer or pastoral economies, Indigenous land use, and historical or archival research. Fluency in English is required.
Position details
- Position: Postdoctoral Fellow in Anthropology
- Research project: Beyond the Hoof: How Cattle Production shaped landscapes and anthropological knowledge of the Kalahari Desert
- Institution: Aarhus University
- Department: Department of Anthropology, School of Culture and Society
- Location: Højbjerg, Denmark
- Contract: Fixed-term
- Duration: 2 years
- Working hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
- Fieldwork: 3–4 months in Botswana in both 2027 and 2028
- Residence requirement: Applicants must reside in Denmark, including during periods of field research
- Teaching: Minimal teaching
- Application language: English
- Job ID: 168656
Research focus
The research will address themes including:
- Cattle production and agricultural expansion
- Wildlife migration
- Vegetation change
- San hunter-gatherer territories
- Cultural and natural heritage
- Human-environment relations
- Infrastructure and landscape transformation
- Anthropological research and theory concerning the Kalahari
Eligibility and qualifications
Applicants should have:
- A PhD in Anthropology or equivalent qualifications in environmental humanities, geography, political ecology or archaeology.
- Immersive ethnographic field research experience.
- Experience relevant to landscapes, infrastructure, agricultural development, human-wildlife conflict, hunter-gatherer or pastoral economies, Indigenous land use, or related areas.
- Experience with historical or archival research is relevant.
- Fluency in English.
- Familiarity with regional languages is advantageous.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Conduct original ethnographic field research on cattle, human-wildlife interactions, infrastructure and Kalahari landscapes.
- Undertake 3–4 months of field research in Botswana in both 2027 and 2028.
- Conduct interviews, community-based mapping, oral histories and ecological surveys.
- Develop interdisciplinary collaborative research with the principal investigator and project affiliates.
- Publish research findings and present them at conferences, workshops, lectures and stakeholder meetings.
- Contribute to the theoretical and methodological development, coordination and organisation of the wider “Beyond the Hoof” project.
Application process
Applicants must submit their applications in English through Aarhus University’s recruitment system. Applicants should provide:
- A cover letter of no more than two pages outlining qualifications, existing research, interest and motivation.
- A current CV, including a publication list.
- A maximum of two publications.
Only submitted publications will be assessed. Applications without submitted publications will not be assessed. Professional references or recommendations should not be included at the application stage.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 6 October 2026, 23:59 CEST.
- Expected Start Date: 1 January 2027.
Applications must be submitted via the recruitment system linked to the official Aarhus University job advertisement.
Related Academic Opportunities
- Anthropology academic positions
- Archaeology jobs in Europe
- Cultural heritage research positions
- Humanities research jobs worldwide
- Academic jobs in Denmark
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the position?
It is a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow position in Anthropology at Aarhus University.
What is the research project?
The position is part of the DFF-funded “Beyond the Hoof” project, which examines how cattle production shaped landscapes and anthropological knowledge of the Kalahari Desert.
Where is the position based?
The main workplace is Aarhus University in Højbjerg, Denmark.
Is fieldwork required?
Yes. The successful candidate is expected to conduct 3–4 months of field research in Botswana in both 2027 and 2028.
What qualifications are required?
Applicants should hold a PhD in Anthropology or equivalent qualifications in environmental humanities, geography, political ecology or archaeology, together with relevant ethnographic research experience.
How many publications can applicants submit?
Applicants may submit a maximum of two publications. Only submitted publications will be assessed.
Institutional Overview
Aarhus University is a research university in Denmark covering the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences and technical disciplines. The Faculty of Arts includes the School of Culture and Society, where research covers cultural, social and historical questions across different periods and regions. The Department of Anthropology is part of the School and conducts research on societies, cultures, environments and social change. Its work includes ethnographic research and collaboration across related fields. The department provides the academic setting for researchers working on topics such as human-environment relations, landscapes, heritage and social transformation, including postdoctoral research involving fieldwork, publications and collaboration with other researchers.
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