Postdoctoral Researcher in Indian Colonial Jails
The ERC-funded project “Death, Smoke, and Mirrors: Manipulation of Health Data in Authoritarian and Custodial Institutions” (2025–2030) investigates how custodial institutions in both liberal and authoritarian regimes manipulated health and mortality data from the nineteenth to the twentieth century, and what these practices reveal about governance, accountability, and the politics of life and death.
The Aleksanteri Institute invites applications for two (2) Postdoctoral Researcher positions (starting from March 2026 or as agreed) in this project, led by PI Dr. Mikhail Nakonechnyi. The positions are full-time and fixed term for two (2) years, with the possibility of extension. The appointments include a six month probationary period in accordance with University of Helsinki regulations. Regular physical presence in Helsinki is required; these positions cannot be performed remotely.
Key responsibilities include:
- Archival research in the British Library (India Office Records, including IOR/V/27/170).
- Fieldwork in the National Archives of India, including Home, Judicial, Medical, and Andaman Penal Colony records.
- Work with personal papers of major nineteenth-century reformers (e.g., Florence Nightingale, Mary Carpenter, F.J. Mouat).
- Collection and analysis of vernacular (Hindi essential; desirable: Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, or other languages) and English-language newspapers.
- Qualitative analysis of official jail reports, administrative correspondence, and vernacular (Hindi essential; desirable: Bengali, Urdu, or Tamil) and English-language prisoner memoirs.
- Production of peer-reviewed articles and active participation in project meetings and collaborative outputs.
Required qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in History, Criminology, South Asian Studies, or a closely related field.
- Research expertise in British Indian penal history and the British Raj generally.
- Fluency in Hindi essential; desirable: Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, or other languages.
- Demonstrated archival research experience.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international team.
General requirements:
- Ability to undertake extended archival research trips abroad.
- Strong commitment to research ethics, transparency, and high-quality scholarship.
- Regular on-site presence at the Aleksanteri Institute (Helsinki).
What we offer
The salary for the position will be based on level 5 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The annual gross salary is €42,000 - €49,000.
In Finnish universities, the teaching and research staff (app. 65% of total staff) have a special system regarding the free time equivalent to holiday. They belong to the 1,612 annual working hour system, in which the annual amount of paid holiday is app. 5-6 weeks on average per year.
The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development.
The University provides support for internationally recruited employees with their transition to work and life in Finland. More information here: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcome-finland-information-arriving-staff
You will be working in a stimulating and supportive research environment at a leading European centre of expertise. We also offer funding for international archival research.
How to apply
The application must be accompanied by the following documents in PDF format:
- Curriculum vitae and list of publications
- Cover letter (max. 2 pages) describing the applicant’s research experience and motivation
- One writing sample (article or dissertation chapter)
- Names and contact information of two referees
Applications must be submitted through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on the link below. Current employees of the University of Helsinki must submit their applications through SAP Fiori’s Suffeli recruitment portal.
Further information about the position can be obtained from Dr. Mikhail Nakonechnyi, Principal Investigator (mikhail.nakonechnyi(at)helsinki.fi) or Ryan Reed, Project Technical Assistant (ryan.reed(at)helsinki.fi). Further information about the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Specialist Reeta Korhonen (reeta.korhonen(at)helsinki.fi).
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