Postdoctoral/Research Fellows in Asia Research Institute (Food Politics and Society Cluster FY27/28)

Asia Research Institute (ARI)

The Asia Research Institute invites applications from ambitious scholars to conduct cutting-edge academic humanities or social sciences research on Asia. 

Apart from the quality of the proposed research and publication plans, and the applicant’s existing publication track record, positions will be awarded on the basis of the relationship of their research to the identified themes and priorities of the relevant ARI research cluster.

Given that a growing proportion of ARI’s funding is derived from external sources, preference will be also given to candidates with the potential to collaborate in developing competitive research grant applications.

Food Politics and Society Cluster

The Food Politics and Society cluster is an interdisciplinary forum where interested scholars explore the dynamic impact of food and food systems at multiple levels--individual, household, community, society, national and international. The cluster welcomes diverse methodological approaches, from deploying ethnographic and archival skills to using visual and textual tools, as well as leveraging quantitative datasets. Open to examination of contemporary developments and historical trajectories, the empirical locus of the cluster’s food scholarship privileges Asia, an incredibly rich laboratory in which to study the intersections among power relations, vested interests, complex networks, and contested meanings of food that permeate our past, present and future lives.

The Cluster’s three main strands of research are as follows:

(i)           Power, Politics, and Policy

(ii)          Production, Consumption, and Technology

(iii)         Historical Legacies and Meaning

Job Description

Researchers will work under the supervision of the Cluster Leader and take the lead in organising workshops and conferences, participate in cluster projects, and developing new initiatives (including applying for grant funding) as well as carrying out their own writing for publication. Administrative duties and committee work will be assigned and form part of the position.

Job Requirements

1. Applicants must have a PhD from a reputable university, a well-established publication record and scholarly international visibility in their field/area.
2. If you are still a PhD candidate at the point of application, you may also apply provided that you are confirmed for graduation by your commencement date at ARI. An official letter from the Registrar’s Office of your university will be required to confirm the award of your PhD degree.
3. Candidates with more than 2 years of research experience after their PhD may be considered for the Research Fellowship position. Research Fellowship candidates are expected to have built up a publication track record commensurate with the period of time post-PhD. Clear plans for research and publication at ARI extending beyond a candidate’s doctoral work are expected.
4. Candidates must have an existing track record of publication and plausible plans for future high-quality publications to be completed during their time at ARI.

Terms of Appointment

1. The appointment will be tenable for a period of two years.
2. Applications are invited for commencement in Jun/Jul 2027 or Dec 2027/Jan 2028.
3. The Postdoctoral Fellowship remuneration is S$6,000 per month.  This all-in sum is inclusive of stipends for housing and living expenses. 
4. The Research Fellowship remuneration is from S$6,250 per month.  This all-in sum is inclusive of stipends for housing and living expenses. 
5. Please note that University Housing will not be provided, and appointees are expected to make their own private accommodation arrangements.
6. Travel assistance will be provided to eligible candidates.
7. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible for provident fund benefits.
8. All salary and benefits-in-kind are subjected to taxation in accordance with local tax laws.
9. There is support for research fieldwork and conference attendance (on application and subject to approval).
10. Research staff at ARI are expected to participate actively in the life of the Institute, including attendance at seminars, conferences and ARI social events.
11. Other benefits that the University provides and information about working at NUS and living in Singapore are available at 'Why Join Us'. Terms and conditions, according to university guidelines, are subject to change without prior notice.

Application Process

Please submit the following documents in one (combined) PDF and attach it under the CV column in the system:

1. Curriculum Vitae (maximum of 3 single-spaced pages).
2. Synopsis of the proposed research activities (maximum of 2 single-spaced pages), including: (i) how these relate to prior (esp. doctoral) work and experience; (ii) how they contribute to the relevant ARI research cluster(s); (iii) publication plans during the 2-year timeframe of the position.
3. At least one short sample of published work, preferably in English.
4. Please indicate the name and contact details of at least 2 referees in your application.

The closing date for applications is 9 October 2026.  Please note that no extension will be given.

Additional Important Information

1. Only fully completed applications will be considered.
2. All materials including research proposal (including if any, initial ideas for a research grant application) and CV must be submitted through our online application system.
3. As we receive high volume of applications, we strongly encourage you to apply well before the closing date.
4. We regret that only successful candidates will be notified (via email).  Candidates who do not hear from the University within 10 weeks after the closing date may assume the position has been filled.
5. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview with the research leader(s) of the relevant cluster(s).
6. Any offer of appointment is conditional on approval by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Ministry of Manpower granting you an Employment Pass or other applicable work passes.