Postdoctoral position at the Department of Anthropology, Aarhus University Full-time

Postdoctoral Position At The Department Of Anthropology, Aarhus University

The Department of Anthropology at the School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University invites applications for a full time (37h/w) 2-year fixed-term postdoctoral position in the Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond / Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) research project “Beyond the Hoof: How Cattle Production Shaped Landscapes and Anthropological Knowledge of the Kalahari Desert.”

The appointment begins on January 1, 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 “Beyond the Hoof” project seeks an innovative postdoctoral scholar in anthropology to lead a research package about the social and ecological impacts of cattle and cattle infrastructures in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, Africa. The position is part of the Sapere-Aude: DFF Research Leaders project, led by associate professor Pierre du Plessis, that investigates how Botswana's commercial cattle industry has reshaped landscapes beyond the immediate sites of production, and how the changes they induced influenced anthropological study of the Kalahari. Focusing on infrastructures such as veterinary fences and boreholes, the study traces ripple effects “beyond the hoof”—fragmented wildlife migrations, altered vegetation, and disrupted San hunter-gatherer territories—that not only shaped and continue to shape Kalahari landscapes, but also the very conditions of anthropological observation and theory about human-environmental relations.

The candidate will be responsible for a work package that investigates contemporary processes of cattle expansion in an historical hunting and gathering territory, the implications for both cultural and natural heritage in this area, and how communities experience and perceive these transformations. The position thus involves significant periods of field research between cattle-grazing and wildlife management areas, conducting interviews, community-based mapping activities, gathering oral histories, and participation in ecological surveys. The ideal candidate will have an existing research profile that uses ethnographic methods to explore questions relevant to the social and ecological effects of livestock and agricultural infrastructures on landscapes as well as a keen interest in the history of anthropology (particularly as it relates to the Kalahari and southern African). The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to contribute to the theoretical and methodological analysis of how landscape change influenced the historical development of environmental anthropology in the Kalahari and should be prepared to work in a collaborative research team with the PI and project affiliates, including interdisciplinary research bridging social and natural science.

The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Both assist in ongoing research and conduct original ethnographic field research on the intersection of cattle and human-wildlife interactions, infrastructural expansion, and cultural and natural heritage of Kalahari landscapes in Botswana.
• Develop interdisciplinary collaborative research with the PI and project affiliates.
• Conduct literature reviews about Kalahari Anthropology
• Publish sole-author and collaborative publications based on project research findings.
• Present findings at conferences, workshops, lectures, and stakeholder meetings.
• Participate in the theoretical and methodological development of the larger “Beyond the Hoof” project with the PI.
• Assist in coordinating and organizing project activities and outputs.
• Coordinate field research with the PI to be conducted annually in Botswana.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct 3-4 months of field research in Botswana in both 2027 and 2028 (this will occur concurrently with the PI's field research periods).
• The successful applicant will be required to reside in Denmark and maintain residence in the country (including during periods of field research).

Qualifications :

• PhD in Anthropology or equal qualifications (environmental humanities, geography, political ecology, archaeology)
• Should have immersive ethnographic field research experience, with preference given to research experience in southern Africa. Familiarity with the anthropological landscape of Botswana, and the Kalahari in particular, is beneficial.
• Fluency in English; additional familiarity with regional languages is advantageous.
• Must have demonstrated experience conducting original ethnographic research on:
• Landscapes, more-than-human relations, infrastructure, agricultural development, and/or human-wildlife conflict, including impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods.
• Hunter-gatherer and/or pastoral economies and ecologies.
• Foraging and/or herding based livelihood strategies and their relations to savannah ecosystems.
• Indigenous land use, including both subsistence and market production.
• Local institutions of property / territorial access.
• Using historical and archival sources to understand landscape and land use changes across time.
• Analysis of historical ethnography
• Expertise in rural livelihood strategies, including hunting, gathering, and/or herding, agroecology and agrarian studies, multispecies ethnography and landscape analysis, political ecology, cultural heritage, African studies, southern African studies, Indigenous studies, political economy, territorial conflicts in the context of biodiversity conservation.
• Familiarity with existing and historical research efforts in the Kalahari (i.e. Harvard Kalahari Research Group, Kyoto School, etc.) is not required but highly beneficial.
• Experience conducting and coordinating interdisciplinary research between the natural and social sciences is advantageous.

Teaching

The position will involve minimal teaching as agreed upon with the Head of the Department and the project PI.

Knowledge exchange

The successful applicant will be expected to exchange knowledge with various sectors of society and to contribute actively to public debate in areas related to the position.

To apply please submit:

• Cover letter outlining qualifications, describing existing research, and describing your interest in and motivation for participating in the project (maximum 2 pages).
• Current CV (including a list publications)
• A maximum of 2 publications (Only submitted publications will be assessed; a list of publications is not sufficient. As a result, applications without submitted publications will not be assessed.)

The application must be submitted in English.

The research activities will be evaluated in relation to the actual research time. We therefore encourage applicants to specify any periods of leave they may have had without research activities (e.g. maternity/paternity leave), so we can subtract these periods from the span of their academic career when evaluating their productivity.

Only submitted publications will be assessed; a list of publications is not sufficient. As a result, applications without submitted publications will not be assessed.

Professional references or recommendations should not be included. Applicants who are selected for an interview may be asked to provide professional references.

For further information about the position, please contact pierredup@cas.au.dk

For further information about the application procedure, please contact HR ( iks-hr-sag@au.dk )

International applicants are encouraged to check Family and work-life balance and Attractive working conditions for further information about the benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and career counselling for expat partners. For information about taxation, see Taxation aspects of international researchers' employment by AU .

The work environment

The School of Culture and Society is a vibrant research community dedicated to understanding the cultural and social conditions that shape human life. Our work examines how people interact with their environments, from prehistory to the present, and across both local contexts and global dynamics. Through cross-sector and cross-disciplinary partnerships, we aim to drive research innovation and contribute to address the major questions facing society. In both research and education, we are committed to bringing the humanities into active dialogue with partners beyond the university.

The School is committed to:

• Fostering an international environment characterized by strong academic and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Embracing an innovative and experimental approach to research, teaching, and communication.
• Cultivating a school that both generates knowledge and educates students for the present and future.
• Advancing a broad engagement with digital humanities.
• Upholding a strong commitment to both local and global societal challenges.
• Creating an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable workplace and organization.

Read more about the school here School of Culture and Society – Aarhus University

Qualification requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

Formalities

• Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment