The Institute for Social Anthropology (ISA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), Austria’s leading non- university research and science institution, is offering a 

Postdoc Position (f/m/x) 

in social anthropology with a focus on Indonesia 

(full-time, 40 hours per week) 

for a duration of 18 months, starting April 01st; 2025. The successful candidate will be working in and contributing to the Environmental Anthropology Research Group, led by Judith Bovensiepen. We are looking for a candidate who will be developing a research project on tobacco cultivation in upland Java, with a special focus on how gendered relations of power are manifested and navigated in the tobacco industry. Bringing together issues of health, wealth, gender and farming, the project should address the vital interdependence between the environment and wellbeing, whilst also paying attention to the how eco-social wellbeing is implicated in broader economic and political inequalities. 

Your profile: 

The successful candidate should have extensive fieldwork experiences and an excellent or promising publication record. They will have a PhD in Social or Cultural Anthropology. They should also have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Because of the lusophone focus of the working group, knowledge of Portuguese is also desired. 

Your tasks: 

• Design research project on tobacco cultivation in Indonesia. 
• Publications in leading journals and presses. 
• Critical engagement with relevant anthropological theory, esp. in relation to health and the environment. 
• Participation in all compulsory events of institute events and activities of the Environment Anthropology working group. 
• Responsible participation in the scientific organisation and some administrative responsibilities. 
• Contribution to outreach activities. 

Our offer: 

• Excellent opportunities to work in a lively research environment. 
• An annual gross salary of € 66.501,40 according to the collective agreement of the OeAW. 
• Opportunity to develop a new independent research project. 

Successful candidates will have to be based in Austria: The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) requires staff to spend 60% of their time working on-site, with the possibility of home-office working at 40%. 

Please send your application including 1. Cover Letter (one page max), 2. Academic CV including publications, 3. Project description (1.500-2.000 words) in a single PDF file via e-mail to sandra.forster@oeaw.ac.at no later than January 20th, 2025. 

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) pursues a non-discriminatory employment policy and values equal opportunities, as well as diversity. Individuals from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.