Deadline April 16^th,2024

Project: ‘Memory and Populism from Below’ (MEMPOP), Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION, fulltime 1.0 FTE

The Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic, invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral position, with the possibility of extending the contract to an additional two-and-a-half years (total 3.5 years). Joining an ambitious research project on memory and populism in European transnational borderland regions, the postdoctoral researcher will conduct ethnographic fieldwork in the transnational borderland region of Istria (other European borderland regions are also possible).

RESEARCH PROJECT

‘Memory and Populism from Below’ (MEMPOP) is a project led by Dr. Johana Wyss and funded by the European Research Council. Within the project, a five-member team from the Department of Mobility and Migration will conduct ethnographic research in four European transnational regions. These borderland regions are characterised by harsh historical upheavals, frequent historical shifts of national borders and populations, as well as rising populist sentiments. This research project aims to investigate the relationship between collective memory and the increasing popularity of populist political parties.

POSITION

It is a full-time position for one year, with the possibility of extending the contract to additional two and half years (3.5 years total).

Starting date: August 1^st, 2024, or as agreed.

As a postdoctoral researcher you will conduct ethnographic fieldwork (up to nine months) in the transnational historical region of Istria, today located between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia and research everyday mnemonic practices and populist sentiments of the borderland inhabitants. We expect the successful candidate to proactively design their own research agenda and involvement in the project. We thus expect the postdoc to work within a team as well as to take an independent role to conduct high-quality research within the context of MEMPOP, and to contribute to publications in top outlets.

ELIGIBILITY  

• A Ph.D. in social and cultural anthropology or related disciplines. Applicants with their doctoral thesis already submitted will also be considered.
• Keen interest in memory studies, borderland studies, and populism and political polarisation.
• Excellent skills in qualitative methods essential, experience with ethnographic fieldwork desirable.
• Proficiency in academic English and fieldwork-related languages, i.e., Italian, Slovene, Croatian (one essential, two or more desirable).
• Ability to work independently and as a member of an international team.
• Writing skills manifested in high-quality Ph.D. dissertation and peer-reviewed academic publications.
• Ability to present at international conferences and to contribute to communications aimed at the general public (blogposts, website, social media).
• Knowledge of Zotero, Nvivo, or other QDA software desirable.
• Readiness to live and work in Prague, Czech Republic.

OFFERING

• A cutting-edge research project, a vibrant and supportive research team, and the exciting broader research environment of the Institute of Ethnology and the Czech Academy of Sciences.
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Funding for fieldwork and conference travel.
• Fees for open access publications covered.
• Various training seminars and workshops to further professional development.
• An open, family-friendly work environment, and holiday arrangements with 25 days of leave (based on a full-time contract). 

APPLICATION

To apply, candidates are required to submit the following as a single PDF document comprising:

• Cover letter (max. one page)
• CV (max. two pages)
• A sample of a written work in English, published or unpublished (max. 10 000 words)
• Contact information of two academic references

In the second stage, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online and asked to provide a motivation letter (max. three pages), which includes a research proposal and an explanation of how the research is related to the activities of the MEMPOP project (detailed description of the MEMPOP project will be provided to the shortlisted candidates). Additional documents might be requested as per the guidelines of the Institute.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE POST

Applications should be emailed to office@eu.cas.cz under the subject “MEMPOP Postdoc position Istria” no later than April 16^th,2024, 16:00 Central European Time.

We recommend that prospective applicants contact Dr Wyss at wyss@eu.cas.cz for further information regarding the MEMPOP ERC project prior to submitting the application.

If no suitable candidates are found the vacancy will be reopened.