Postdoctoral Researcher

Overview

Birkbeck, University of London is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Social Sciences for FABRIC, a three-year AHRC-DFG funded project on how the changing value of craft in Senegal and Benin shapes social belonging and imagined futures among teenagers in craft families. Ethnographic data has already been collected from families in three villages in each country, including participant ethnographies with potters, weavers and blacksmiths, qualitative interviews and workshops with children in craft families. The postholder will use this data and work with the co-investigators to analyse and write it up.

Who can apply

Applicants should have completed a doctorate in anthropology, sociology or archaeology and have knowledge of West African culture and society, building on PhD and postdoctoral research in the anthropology or sociology of material culture. Fluency in French and Wolof or Baatonum is ideal.

What you get

The contract is fixed term for 11 and a half months and part time at 21 hours per week. The salary is 27,079 to 30,832 GBP per year pro rata, which is 60 percent of the full-time range of 45,132 to 51,387 GBP on the London pay scale. Benefits include a pension scheme, 31 days of paid leave and flexible working arrangements.

Requirements

The postholder must be based in the UK and able to come to the office at least one day a week, and may work remotely for up to 14 hours per week by arrangement.

How to apply

Only formal applications through the online recruitment system are considered. Birkbeck welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.

Key dates

The closing date is 30 October 2026, and interviews will be held on 13 November 2026.