Postdoctoral Research Associate - Biocultural adaptation of resource management traditions under th

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on the AHRC/Belmont Forum-funded project 'Biocultural adaptation of resource management traditions under the effects of climate change'. The project is an international, interdisciplinary collaboration between Durham University (UK), the RAND Corporation (USA), the University of Zurich (Switzerland), and the Hoonah Indian Association. It aims to understand the ways in which the transmission of indigenous ecological knowledge may provide a source of resiliency, mitigation, and adaptation to the effects of climate change through a comparative study of four sites: Hoonah AK, Zhetysu Kazakhstan, Chiapas Mexico, and Khovd Mongoli.

The successful applicant will be expected to analyse mixed qualitative-quantitative data on the cultural transmission of indigenous ecological knowledge collected from the four sites, characterising and comparing patterns using appropriate statistical techniques, such as cultural evolutionary modeling, network analysis and cultural consensus analysis. They will work under the direction of the project UK PI, Professor Jamshid Tehrani, in collaboration with the consortium PI, Dr. Luke Matthews and other project Investigators

Key responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To contribute to high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To work with the Principal Investigator and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
• To analyse interview and archival data using quantitative methods and modelling techniques
• [Any other specific responsibilities].

This post is fixed term for 24 months. The project is time limited and will end when the funding expires in February 2027.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by the UK PI Professor Tehrani. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her/their own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by January 2025.

The Department

The Anthropology Department at Durham University has an outstanding international reputation for teaching and research. We are one of the largest and most diverse Anthropology Departments in the UK, with nearly 40 permanent academic staff working within and across social, evolutionary and health anthropology. Each year, we welcome over 130 undergraduate students and around 70 postgraduate students from around the world.

We provide an intellectually inclusive environment, fostering the academic freedom and confidence to work at both the core and boundaries of anthropology in exciting and innovative ways. The assessment of our work in REF 2021 attests to research excellence across social anthropology, evolutionary anthropology and the anthropology of health. 45% of our research was rated as world-leading (4*), placing us in the top 5 Anthropology Departments in the UK, world-leading impact and research environment.

Our department is especially renowned for its commitment to interdisciplinarity, both in terms of integrating the different subfield of anthropology and working collaboratively with other disciplines. The Anthropology Department is strongly involved in numerous transdisciplinary university Research Institutes and Centres, including the Durham Energy Institute, Institute for Medical Humanities, and Durham Cultural Evolution Research Centre.

Working at Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it's also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.

Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.

Our Purpose and Values

We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.

If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.

The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

Professor Jamshid Tehrani, Head of the Department of Anthropology, jamie.tehrani@durham.ac.uk

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with abrief description of the problem you're experiencing toe.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

• a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
• A first-authored academic publication or other writing sample (e.g. PhD thesis chapter) demonstrating an ability to produce high-quality research outputs.

Next Steps

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the research team. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to the research team and an interview. We anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around the week beginning 28 October.

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

A good first degree in Anthropology, Psychology, Biology, or a related subject.

A PhD (or be close to submission) in Anthropology, Psychology, Biology, or a related subject.

Experience

Experience in conducting high quality academic research.

Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.

Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.

Experience in quantitative analysis of cultural or ecological datasets.

Skills

Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.

Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Excellent computational and quantitative skills.

Excellent academic writing skills.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.

A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.

Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.

.Experience or knowledge in the areas of ecological sustainability and/or indigenous ontologies including traditional ecological knowledge

Experience with collection of qualitative primary data in the form of interviews, archives, surveys, freelists, and other anthropological data collection techniques.

Experience and/or interest in evolutionary and network theories for cultural transmission.

Skills

Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.

Analytical skills in the areas of cultural transmission, network analysis, or cultural consensus analysis.