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 Environmental Anthropology

with a focus on Southeast Asia

(full-time, 40 hours per week)

for a duration of 11 months, starting 1 February 2026.

Your Tasks

We invite applications for one postdoctoral research position to be part of the ISA Environmental Anthropology research group. We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to develop an ERC Starting Grant application with a focus on waste and environmental change in Indonesian Borneo. The project would examine how waste reconfigures indigenous Ngaju Dayak villagers' relationship with the environment in rural Central Kalimantan. It would bring together the anthropological scholarship on waste and recent developments in new animism studies. The ERC application would need to be submitted in autumn 2026.

Your Profile

• PhD in social anthropology with a specialisation in environmental anthropology
• Long-term fieldwork experience with rural communities across Central Kalimantan (at least 24 months)
• Deep understanding of indigenous human-environmental relations
• Ability to converse in Indonesian and local Ngaju language
• Publications in leading anthropological journals
• Experience in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research

Our Offer

• Membership in ISA’s Environmental Anthropology working group.
• Numerous voluntary social benefits
• Flex time arrangement
• An annual gross salary of € 69.028,40 according to the collective agreement of the OeAW.

Please upload your application including the following documents in a single pdf file under "CV" no later than 26 December 2025.

(1) Cover letter (2 pages max): should contain a description of how you meet the essential and desired criteria, detailed information on the proposed research site, and any existing local connections and networks you have.

(2) Academic CV (including publications)

(3) Research proposal (1,500-2,000 words max)

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.