SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES

University of London

Three Post-Doctoral Research Assistants in Social Anthropology

ESRC Funded Project:

RURAL CHANGE AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN POST-COLONIAL INDIA: A COMPARATIVE 'RESTUDY' OF F.G. BAILEY, ADRIAN C. MAYER AND DAVID F. POCOCK

£29,562 p.a. inclusive of London Allowance

Fixed Term (32 months): 1st September 2011 to 30th April 2014

Vacancy Nos: 000282 / 000283 / 000284

SOAS invites applications for three full-time fixed-term post-doctoral Research Assistants to work on an ESRC-funded project (RES 062-23-3052) examining social and economic change in post-colonial Indian villages. Through intensive new ethnographic fieldwork, the post-doctoral researchers will ‘restudy' one of three villages originally studied independently in the early 1950s by F.G. Bailey, Adrian C. Mayer and David F. Pocock (deceased) in Orissa (Odisha), Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat respectively. Bailey and Mayer – both now in their late 80s – will contribute their field materials and experience to the research.

Vacancy 000282: Orissa

The successful applicant will lead the project's re-analysis of the published work and unpublished field materials of F.G. Bailey; along with Dr Edward Simpson will interview Bailey about his life and work; will assist in the digitization and analysis of Bailey's primary research materials; will conduct 14 months fieldwork in Orissa; and contribute to the writing up of the research for publication. Knowledge of Oriya and other relevant languages will be an advantage.

Vacancy 000283: Madhya Pradesh

The successful applicant for this post will lead the project's re-analysis of the published work of Adrian C. Mayer; along with Dr Edward Simpson will interview Mayer about his life and work; will assist in the digitization and analysis of Mayer's primary research materials; will conduct 14 months of fieldwork in Madhya Pradesh and contribute to the writing up of the research for publication. Knowledge of Hindi and other relevant languages will be an advantage.

Vacancy 000284: Gujarat

The successful applicant will lead the project's re-analysis of the published work of David F. Pocock; will conduct 14 months of fieldwork in Gujarat; and contribute to the writing up of the research for publication. Knowledge of Gujarati will be an advantage.

The project has been designed as a collaborative exercise at all stages: planning, fieldwork and writing. The Researchers will work as a team under the guidance of Dr Edward Simpson and Professor Patricia Jeffery. Therefore, applicants should be willing to co-ordinate research schedules, to agree topics to be explored, to share findings and to develop co-authored publications.

The Researchers will participate in research training and design seminars at SOAS, conduct 14 months fieldwork in rural India, and collaborate in a further series of post-fieldwork writing seminars at SOAS. In the final phase of the project, duties will include the preparation of research findings for publication and the co-ordination of other dissemination activities (a film and photographic exhibition).

Applicants should have a doctoral degree in Social Anthropology or a very closely related discipline. They should have a proven academic interest in the anthropology of South Asia and relevant linguistic and field experience. They should be willing to work as part of a team. An interest in the use of photography and film in anthropology would be an advantage, but is not essential.

For an informal discussion of the requirements of these positions please contact Dr Edward Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology: email: es7@soas.ac.uk website: http://www.soas.ac.uk/staff/staff36082.php

FULL DETAILS OF THESE POSITIONS AND CAN BE FOUND ON THE SOAS WEBSITE: www.soas.ac.uk/jobs. No agencies.

Closing date: ­­­­­­21st March 2011

Interviews will be held on the 7th and 8th April 2011

SOAS values diversity and aims to be an equal opportunities employer

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