The IIHS Post-Doctoral Programme
IIHS seeks Post-Doctoral Fellows to join its vibrant intellectual environment within the Academics and Research programme. IIHS is increasingly recognised in India and internationally as a significant node in urban research and practice on the global South. Its promotion of inter-disciplinary pedagogy, on-the-ground learning, an excellent library on various aspects of the urban, and a convivial place for research make it an ideal location for scholarship.
Post-Doctoral fellowships at IIHS typically have one or two-year terms, and some may be extendable. While Fellows are hired institutionally at IIHS, each is hired into a specific and on- going research-based project, which will be the Fellow’s first home within IIHS.
This call is for post-doctoral fellows to contribute to the water and sanitation research undertaken at IIHS. They are also expected to contribute to the knowledge production and dissemination efforts of various water and sanitation practice projects.
Water and Sanitation at IIHS
IIHS’ interdisciplinary and cutting-edge work in water and sanitation spans strategic advisory services on policy, regulatory, capacity building and institutional measures for sustainable water resources management. In developing an extensive portfolio, IIHS has focused on innovation, inclusion and problem solving at scale. IIHS’ significant depth and breadth of experience in the water and sanitation sector is built on working with towns and cities, and local communities.
In the area of water and sanitation service provision to urban populations, IIHS has delved into linkages between groundwater and sanitation including contamination pathways, current construction and management practices, and socio-economic drivers; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education; Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) as well as the scaling and sustainability of infrastructure and service delivery. IIHS’ research and practice projects inform each other to ensure approaches that are up-to date, inclusive, sustainable, and grounded in the practical realities of urban development.
About the TNUSSP
A key programme that IIHS has been involved with is the Tamil Nadu Urban Sanitation Support Programme (TNUSSP). TNUSSP is focused on scaling safe and sustainable solutions across the full cycle of sanitation in all urban areas of Tamil Nadu. The programme focuses on strengthening institutional capacities, training and capacity building, legal and regulatory reforms, and inclusive sanitation, for sustained service delivery.
About the GCEW Project
The Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW) aims to redefine the way in which we value and govern water as a Global Common Good. The third in a series of sustainability-focused reports, following from the Stern Review on Economics of Climate Change (2006) and the Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity (2021), it will present evidence and pathways for changes in policy, business approaches and global collaboration to support climate and water justice, sustainability and food-energy-water security. At IIHS, the GCEW Distributed Secretariat and Support team is housed within the School of Environment and Sustainability, and School of Systems and Infrastructure. The IIHS GCEW team will provide support to the two GCEW Reports for the UN Water Conference in 2023 and a main report in 2024 as well as the production of pre-final drafts of the two reports. The team will also develop a series of underlying working papers produced by the IIHS team and in collaboration with other Commissioners.
Post-Doctoral Fellow for Water and Sanitation
The Post-Doctoral Fellow will be involved in building the water and sanitation research portfolio at IIHS. The candidate’s research interests should broadly align with issues of urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure planning and governance and is expected to be familiar with the contemporary national (India) and global debates, issues and challenges in the progress and implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, including linkages between WASH and climate change. The best fit candidate would be one who is ready to (and has demonstrated ability to) bridge the practice-research gap, and have reflexive engagement with practice and practitioners.
Activities and Tasks
The Fellow will work closely with the Water and Sanitation team at IIHS on a range of research activities. These will include but not be limited to:
- Co-production of the GCEW working(s) based on secondary research and analysis that would span multiple scales: international, national, and regional;
- Proposal development, and primary research on water related aspects;
- Co-production of other water and sanitation related background papers, working papers and other academic publications as part of practice-based projects, particularly TNUSSP;
- Participating in/ anchoring educational seminars (outreach activities) and contributing to research dissemination through multiple forms and channels;
- Assisting in the conceptualisation and delivery of research workshop(s) related to the GCEW and other water and sanitation related projects (particularly TNUSSP);
- Providing support to stakeholder engagement, particularly interfacing with key stakeholders identified in the Indian and International context related to the GCEW project, and research components of other water and sanitation related projects (particularly TNUSSP);
- Providing support to other IIHS activities including academics, research, training, practice, and operations;
- Participating in all activities of Institution-building at IIHS; carrying out tasks as assigned by IIHS; and travelling on IIHS work within or outside the country as and when needed.
Structure and Reporting
The Post-Doctoral Fellow will report to the Senior Consultant – Practice at IIHS and will be required to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of internal teams and external individuals / organisations, and students.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a PhD (or should have submitted their PhD dissertation) in a relevant discipline such as water policy and economics, water resource management, urban WASH systems, environmental planning, or sustainable development, with demonstrable experience in research or practice, project management and field work as well as a proven research and publication record. Other disciplines related to sociology, public policy, geography, economics, health, development and urban studies, natural and renewable resource management, governance, and inclusive development; with a dissertation focused on water or WASH, will also be welcome. Exceptional candidates who are currently pursuing a PhD may also be considered. Having 2-3 years of relevant work experience in the WASH sector would be an added advantage.
Applicants must have spoken and written proficiency in English. Ideal applicants will be proficient in one other modern Indian language.
The search will remain open until the position is filled.
Location
This position is based in Bengaluru and may entail travel to other locations in India. This is a one-year position, extendable on mutual consent.
Diversity Policy
IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply for positions.
Contact
Please write to us at hr@iihs.co.in if you need any clarifications while filling the online application form.
