Postdoctoral Researcher ERC VOICES (2-4 years) Jagiellonian University in Poland

Postdoctoral Researcher ERC VOICES at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, is a full-time postdoctoral appointment in the Institute of Comparative Studies of Civilisations within the Faculty of Philosophy. The project is funded under Horizon Europe / ERC and is offered for an initial period of 2 years with the possibility of extension to 4 years.

The position sits within the VOICES project, which investigates song traditions through a historically oriented anthropology combining close reading of written sources with the study of living performances. The research focus is on South Indian song cultures, with particular attention to the relationship between oral, written, embodied, and visual forms of meaning-making. The successful candidate will contribute to two major research clusters: one examining how songs create social bonds and collective identities through epic, mythic, and individual imaginaries; the other analysing songs of war, resistance, subversion, and collective emotion.

The role involves interdisciplinary research on song as both lived practice and literary genre, regular analysis of original sources, publication in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, and presentation at international conferences. A significant part of the work will involve collaboration with the project’s digital humanities team on the development of Mapping Sonic Ecumene: A Visual Archive of Sound, including mapping and archiving sonic and visual representations of songs across South India and maintaining online content. The postdoctoral researcher will also contribute to workshops, events, project planning, and reporting.

Eligible applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent in Asian Studies, Indology, Anthropology, Religious Studies, Ethnomusicology, or a closely related field. Strong competence in one or more South Indian languages, preferably Malayalam, is essential. The post also requires excellent English, a solid publication record, experience or readiness for deep reading and ethnographic fieldwork, and the ability to work effectively in a large international and interdisciplinary team. Digital humanities experience is not mandatory but is welcomed.

Applications must be submitted by 21 November 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) as a single PDF by email. Required documents include a cover letter, CV, research project proposal (maximum 2,000 words, excluding notes and bibliography) outlining the applicant’s contribution to VOICES, a publication and multimedia output list, copies of certificates, and contact details for two referees. The job advert also notes access to academic resources, collaborative international working conditions, and support for fieldwork, equipment, conferences, and professionalization courses.