The research project “Land and Life in the Anthropocene: Landscape reform (LAND),” invites applications for a 3-year fixed term postdoctoral position in anthropology, beginning 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The place of work is 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

The LAND project at Aarhus University seeks a postdoctoral fellow in anthropology to lead research into the ecological and livelihood impacts of coastal infrastructural investment and development in Indonesia. The ideal candidate will have an existing research program which uses ethnographic methods to explore relevant questions and themes and be prepared to develop new collaborative and interdisciplinary research with other team members and project affiliates, including interdisciplinary research bridging the social and natural sciences. The postdoctoral fellow will also contribute to the theoretical and methodological development of the concept of “landscape reform” in collaboration with team members across four field sites around the world.  

This position is part of an ERC Synergy Grant funded initiative which brings together researchers across four field sites and topics to examine interconnections of social and environmental justice and to conceptualize the structural changes necessary to sustain life on earth in a time of environmental collapse and radical social inequality. Researchers from four universities will collaborate across four field sites to develop this conceptual framework of “landscape reform,” linking pursuits to place both economic and environmental justice at the center of governance. 

The Position

The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Both assist in ongoing research and conduct original ethnographic field research on coastal livelihoods, human-wetland interactions, infrastructure, and coastal development in rural Eastern Indonesia.
• Develop interdisciplinary collaborative research projects with team members and affiliates across the natural and social sciences. 
• Publish sole-author and collaborative publications based on project research findings.
• Present findings at conferences, workshops, lectures, stakeholder meetings, and in public media outlets.
• Participate in the theoretical and methodological development of the larger “landscape reform” along with other team members, and where applicable provide mentorship to project students and affiliates.
• Travel to fellow project member’s field sites annually for whole-team project meetings.
• Assist in coordinating and organizing project activities and outputs.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Cultural Anthropology or equal qualifications

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

You can find more information here: Faculty of Arts | Aarhus University

Deadline: 07 June 2026

Read the full text and apply online via the ‘Apply’ button above.