Call for Applications: Postdoctoral Fellows to work on the Just Transitions on Indian Streets project

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About

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for two full-time Postdoctoral Fellows to work on the Just Transitions on Indian Streets project. The position is up to March 2027 and will be based in Bengaluru, with some time spent on fieldwork in Delhi and Kolkata.

The project is the recipient of The British Academy’s Knowledge Frontiers: International Interdisciplinary Research Projects Award for 2025-27 in collaboration with the University of Oxford. Postdoctoral researchers will report to the project’s co-investigator, Dr. Anwesha Ghosh, who is a faculty member at NLSIU.

About the Project

JusTIS is a research project focused on ensuring fair and inclusive climate action for India’s street-based workers like vendors and informal transport operators. These essential workers, often excluded from urban planning, are disproportionately affected by climate change.

The project emphasizes the street as a crucial space where climate impacts are felt and where workers develop survival strategies. JusTIS challenges top-down climate policies by centering workers’ voices and knowledge, aiming for more equitable and sustainable urban futures. Through comparative study in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, JusTIS uses interdisciplinary methods to understand how social injustice and climate vulnerability intersect, fighting the systemic invisibility of these vital urban contributors.

Role description

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be responsible for:

Working with the research team in conducting surveys and interviews with the project’s various stakeholders.
Assisting in the organisation of participant workshops in research cities.
Visiting archives in research cities to collect relevant historical materials.
Analysing qualitative data from surveys, interviews, workshops, and other activities.
Undertaking comprehensive literature reviews on relevant topics.
Attending meetings and reading groups organised by the PI and/or Co-Is.
Co-authoring research papers with project investigators.
Assisting in the preparation of the progress report to the funders and collaborators.
Assist in any other tasks as required.

Qualifications

Essential

Obtained a PhD degree in social sciences, law, public policy, or allied disciplines by the last date of the application.

Desirable

Academic background in urban studies, geography, anthropology, mobilities research or cognate fields.
Track record of publications in high quality journals in similar research areas as the project.

Experience

Essential

In-depth understanding of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of informal workers and social justice in cities.
Formal training in archival research and/or experience of conducting fieldwork in research cities, and engaging with relevant stakeholders.
Ability to manage own research and administrative activities.
Proficiency in at least one of the following languages: Bengali, Hindi, Kannada.

Desirable

Experience of working in an interdisciplinary research environment.
Work experience in project coordination roles within a research team, including maintaining detailed records and preparing comprehensive reports.
Flexibility in working from Delhi and/or Kolkata as per project requirements.

Skills and Competencies

Excellent communication and writing skills.
Strong execution rigour and operational skills.
Strong presentation and time management skills.

How to apply

Please use the Google form here, and include the following documents:

An up-to-date CV
A statement of purpose (not more than 750 words)
Contact details and designation of two references

We will request a sample of academic writing, up to a maximum of 8,000 words (including references), at the interview stage if the candidate is selected for the next round.