Postdoctoral Researcher

Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join an international and interdisciplinary team working on a project looking at the transformative impact of immigration on Brazilian society.

Funded by the British Academy, the research project 'Globalisation from below: livelihoods, trade and transnationalism in Brazil’s informal economy', is a collaboration between Birkbeck and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte, Brazil). The project focuses on the informal economy in Belo Horizonte with an emphasis on the role of Chinese immigrants and the everyday cross-cultural and economic practices that produce globalisation from below.

Through three key strands, the research explores:

• Economic interactions and conflicts between Chinese migrants, Brazilian workers and local street vendors
• Emerging social relations and forms of belonging, and
• Socio-cultural and economic transformations in urban spaces
• Plus, a collaborative methodology will engage participants in an artistic-cultural process creating spaces for dialogue and cooperation.

The project will produce an exhibition and a Transnational Informal Economy Atlas revealing the ways in which globalisation from below connects and transforms urban livelihoods, spaces and societies with a focus on Brazil-China relations.

• To succeed as Postdoctoral Researcher, you will:
• Have a PhD (or be close to submission) in Geography, Urban Studies, Development Studies, Anthropology, Sociology.
• Have experience conducting qualitative research and fieldwork, ideally with a focus on China or Chinese migrants.
• Ideally, have some experience with online methodologies.
• Have research experience or interest in the informal economy and/or migration studies.
• Be proficient in English and Mandarin.
• Have a publication record and proven ability to communicate complex information orally, in writing, and electronically.

Plus, you will be required to travel to Brazil for a workshop in March 2025, and spend up to two months in Belo Horizonte conducting in-person fieldwork. You will spend the remainder of the research time conducting an online ethnography of the Chinese community in Belo Horizonte and have opportunity to organise a conference session and contribute to the project’s publications.

If this role sounds like the perfect fit for you, apply with us today.

Salary and benefits:
£43,636 rising to £49,683 per annum, including a consolidated London Weighting Allowance.

Birkbeck offers a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements and some of the most generous benefits in the HE sector, all while being located right in the heart of Bloomsbury, Euston, London.

Contract:
Fixed-term, 8 month-contract, Full-time (part-time considered), (35 hours a week). Please submit a CV for consideration. Closing date: Sunday 2 February, interview date Friday 14 February 2025.

Enquiries:
To know more please contact Dr Mara Nogueira, Senior Lecturer/Principal Investigator, at m.nogueira@bbk.ac.uk.

If you have difficulty using the recruitment portal, please contact jobs@bbk.ac.uk providing your name and the job reference number of the position.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding an Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.

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