Postdoc: "The Great Transformation: Urban Land Markets, Livelihoods and the Growing Ecological Crisis in Asia's Cities" (Bangalore and Jakarta) at National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

The National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore announces a postdoctoral position under the collaborative research project with the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, entitled "The Great Transformation: Urban Land Markets, Livelihoods and the Growing Ecological Crisis in Asia's Cities".

The research project is part of a multi-disciplinary comparative study of neoliberal urban reforms in two Asian cities --Bangalore, India and Jakarta, Indonesia. The international research team will explore the formalization of urban land markets and growing privatization of services driven by neoliberal urban reforms, together with the related expansion in informal land tenure systems and economic activities. Utilizing a mixed methods research design, the project will examine how cities are undergoing distinct forms of urban neoliberalization, how articulations of distinct urban lifestyles are shifting, and how we should theorize and intervene in cities.



We are looking for an exceptional scholar with a keen understanding of critical debates around contemporary urbanization and ongoing transformations in Indian cities to work in the research programme as a Postdoctoral Fellow, based at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore. The selected candidate will be the key researcher for the Bangalore project, and will work closely with Professor Carol Upadhya at NIAS and Professors Michael Goldman and Vinay Gidwani at the University of Minnesota.
The ideal candidate will have experience in survey research (including research design, sampling and preparation of survey instrument) and should be comfortable undertaking ethnographic work. Ease in handling both quantitative and qualitative data is highly desirable. Previous research experience on urban issues in India, and especially in Bangalore, would be an additional asset. The selected candidate will be self-motivated, organized, and methodical, and will be asked to supervise two local research assistants. She or he must have good interpersonal skills and be able to approach community leaders, non-profits, government bureaucrats as well as business professionals; in short, someone who is at ease with various segments of urban Indian society.
Candidates should have completed a Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline (such as sociology, geography, urban studies, anthropology) by December 2012. A high degree of fluency in English and local languages (Kannada, Tamil, and/or Hindi) is required. The candidate must write well, think clearly, and possess strong analytical skills. She or he should be proficient in Excel, Word and, preferably, SPSS; and must be willing to learn a transcription software such as Atlas-Ti.
The position is for 18 months, starting January 1, 2013.
Applicants should submit their curriculum vitae including the names and addresses of three referees, a sample of published work (or unpublished, in the case of doctoral candidates without publications), and a statement of interest. Applications (preferably in soft copy by e-mail) should be sent to:
Head, Administration
National Institute of Advanced Studies
Indian Institute of Science Campus
Bangalore 560 012 India
E-mail: admin@nias.iisc.ernet.in
The deadline for applications is 30 September 2012. Short-listed
candidates will be invited to NIAS for a job talk and interview.
For queries please contact:
Prof. Carol Upadhya
carol.upadhya@gmail.com