Postdoctoral Fellowship in Dalit Studies

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW

in Dalit Studies

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

The Department of History at the University of British Columbia invites applications for a one- year postdoctoral position in Dalit Studies, to begin 1 October 2024. The successful candidate will be appointed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. A one-year renewal of the Fellowship is possible.

This Postdoctoral position is an opportunity to pursue a research program in relation to the research project “Caste in Canada,” which documents through oral histories the experiences of Canadians impacted by caste. The Postdoctoral Fellow hired will play a leading role in shaping the research program of the “Caste in Canada” project, conducting oral history interviews with members of the community, and documenting their experiences; conducting archival research in relevant private and public collections; working at the University and in the community to build awareness about caste-related discrimination and developing processes and programs to address it; and developing scholarly and web-based dissemination of ongoing work. Prior work done along these lines is available at: https://blogs.ubc.ca/annemurphy/research/caste-in-canada/. The successful candidate will join a community of scholars and community members committed to this issue, and have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of faculty members and student researchers. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be assigned a faculty member supervisor in the Department of History, and a committee of informal mentors from History and other Departments in the Faculty of Arts.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be appointed for one year, with the possibility of reappointment for not more than one additional year. Remuneration will be CAD$63,000 plus benefits per year. Funds will be provided (up to CAD$1800) for the purchase of a computer for use for the project, and limited research/conference travel funding is available. This postdoctoral position is subject to final budgetary approval.

Applicants must have completed their PhD within the five years preceding 15 June 2024. Applicants currently finishing their PhD must complete all of the requirements of their program by the start date of the position. Candidates in all social science and humanities fields are encouraged to apply but should demonstrate a commitment to and/or background in Dalit Studies.

Applicants should apply only through the History Department’s Internal Resources website at

https://hist.air.arts.ubc.ca/application-for-postdoctoral-research-fellow-in-dalit-studies/

Applicants should upload (in the following order, collated into a single pdf file):

  •   Letter of expression of interest
  •   A curriculum vitae
  •   A two-page (single-spaced) research statement that outlines your research interests and the intersection of these interests with the “Caste in Canada” research program
  •   A statement on issues related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, particularly with respect to the lived experience of caste.Applicants should also provide names and contact information for three scholars willing to provide a confidential letter of reference; we will request letters directly for candidates who advance in the search process.

    Applications should be submitted by 15 June 2024; applications submitted after that date may not receive full consideration. Questions about the position should be directed to Professor Anne Murphy at anne.murphy@ubc.ca

    For information about the Department, visit https://history.ubc.ca/ 

    Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. Please note that caste-related protections, according to the BC Human Rights Code, are afforded under categories of Race, Religion, Ancestry, and Place of Origin, as outlined in 2023 BCHRT 24. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.