Postdoc (f/m/x) in climate/environmental anthropology

Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften; Wien; Hybrid; EUR 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Funding for fieldwork

Flexible working arrangements

Two home office days per week

Job summary

The Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Austrian Academy of Sciences) invites applications for a postdoc researcher position in climate/environmental anthropology within the ERC-funded project led by Docent Dr.Dr. Hubert Feiglstorfer.

The project explores climate impacts on vernacular architecture in Alpine and Himalayan regions, with fieldwork and cross-regional analysis. The appointment is full-time (40 hours/week) for 24 months from 1 January 2027, with possible extension.

Qualifications

• Very good language skills in English and German, favourably French and/or Italian.
• Previous research in Europe/Alpine regions, and knowledge of Alpine history and politics.
• Familiarity with anthropological literature on climate and environmental changes, focusing on built environment.
• Ability to work independently, including fieldwork, data analysis and writing, with original lines of inquiry.
• Willingness to conduct collaborative fieldwork and writing with the PI and team, and awareness of ethics.

Responsibilities

• Coding of interview transcriptions in German, English, and possibly French/Italian.
• Conduct additional interviews in Europe, follow with transcription, coding, analysis.
• Contextualising coding results and analyses between European and Asian regions.
• Relate ethnographic findings to project interdisciplinary results.
• Support the team in developing a profile of vernacular architecture with collaboration across disciplines.

Skills

English language proficiency

German language proficiency

French language proficiency

Italian language familiarity

Independent work

Fieldwork readiness

Ethical considerations

Job description

OeAW - Discovering the future

As a central non-university institution for science and research, the Austrian Academy of Sciences - OeAW has the task of "promoting science in every respect". Founded in 1847 as a learned society, it now has over 760 members and around 1,800 employees dedicated to innovative basic research, interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and the dissemination of new insights. The OeAW initiates and maintains partnerships worldwide and represents Austria in international scientific organizations; it cooperates with numerous institutions in the scientific field in order to actively shape the research landscape.

Postdoc (f/m/x) in climate/environmental anthropology

Job ID: ISA118ADM126

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 position as

Postdoc (f/m/x) in climate/environmental anthropology

(full time - 40 hours per week)

for a duration of 24 months, starting 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2028.
An extension of 6 months may be discussed but is not fixed yet.

We invite applications for one postdoc researcher position within the ERC-funded project ‘Climate and contemporary transformations of vernacular architecture’, led by Docent Dr.Dr. Hubert Feiglstorfer. The project explores the impact of climate on transformations of vernacular architecture in Alpine and Himalayan regions. The postdoc will be carrying out research on climate and climate change in selected regions, settlements and houses in the Alpine and Himalayan Region.

Your Tasks

• Coding of interview transcriptions. The transcripts are primarily in German and English, with some also in French and Italian.
• As required, additional interviews will be conducted in Europe, mainly in the Alpine region, followed by transcription, coding, analysis and interpretation.
• Contextualising coding results, analyses and interpretations between European and Asian regions.
• Contextualising the ethnographic outcome with interdisciplinary research findings available within the project.
• Supporting the team in developing a profile of vernacular architecture, therefore collaborating with other disciplines involved in the project from the fields of engineering and natural sciences.

Whilst there is flexibility to develop the details of the research project and specific theoretical approaches independently, candidates should be aware that they will be working in a group project, led by a Principal Investigator (PI) within a pre-defined research framework. This means they will have to contribute collaboratively to the project’s core research questions and objectives.

Your Profile - Essential qualifications and criteria:

• Very good language skills in English and German, favourably French and/or Italian.
• Previous research in Europe/Alpine regions, as well as in-depth knowledge
  • of the history and politics of Alpine regions
  • in climate/environmental anthropology
  • of social dynamics in settlement and housing processes
• Familiarity with the anthropological literature on climate and environmental changes, with a focus on built environment.
• Ability to work independently, including conducting fieldwork, data analysis and writing, plus develop original lines of inquiry.
• Willingness to conduct collaborative fieldwork and writing with the PI and the research team.
• Show awareness of ethical considerations in fieldwork.
• Understand issues related to personal and participant security during fieldwork.
• Be prepared to join an existing research project and actively contribute to its central aims and collaborative inquiries.
• Be prepared to reside in Austria for the duration of the position (excluding fieldwork) and actively participate in project events.
• Support the project team in applying for a European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST, https://www.cost.eu/) with the option to participate in the network developed.
• Publication work, particularly submitting an article in the ERC-project monography in 2028 and scientific articles in renowned International journals, as single author or as co-author with a project team member.

Our Offer

• Employment at a leading research institution in Austria with an international and interdisciplinary working environment
• Funding for fieldwork, collaboration and attending conferences.
• A research-only position with no teaching obligations.
• Flexible working arrangements, with the option for two home office day per week.

The annual gross salary for this position is EUR 70.167,44 (full-time based), in accordance with the collective agreement of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW).

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.

Contact

Sandra Forster | [e-mail]
ISA | 1010 Wien, Österreich
Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften | Austrian Academy of Sciences | https://www.oeaw.ac.at/