Millets, grasses grown mostly in Africa and India, used to be marginalized as “poor-man’s food”. Now they are globally regarded as crucial for the attainment of the UN’s Sustainable-Development-Goals due to their excellent nutritional and ecological properties. In order to promote millets, the Indian state of Odisha recently initiated the “Millets Mission” in regions inhabited by millet-cultivating indigenous peoples (Adivasis). However, agro-scientists and policymakers fail to recognize the cultural dimensions of food-crop production. While they now consider millets as salvage crops, the original Adivasi cultivators are considered backward and their cultures curtailed. This jeopardizes the sustainability of the policies. We argue, conversely, that bio-diversity depends on cultural diversity.

The policies entail new configurations and valuations of millets that relate people, crops, ideas and technology in novel ways. We aim to investigate the full complexity of human engagements with millets in these changing circumstances. Understanding the conditions, dynamics and implications of crop selection is crucial for a sustainable future. We achieve this aim by uniquely integrating the approaches of anthropology and archaeobotany and by combining ethnographic and historical perspectives. Two Adivasi communities in Odisha that employ different cultivation techniques will be intensively studied and compared in relation to the recent developments. These contemporary transformations are correlated to earlier shifts in crop-selection through an archaeobotanical investigation of the macro-history of millets in India. Our societal aim is to challenge mainstream representations of Adivasi cultures, to explicate the consequences of the disconnection of crops and culture, and to facilitate constructive dialogue between stakeholders.

This Postdoc opportunity is part of a international millet network, in which the University of Groningen, the Goethe-Universität Frankfurt and the Nazarbayev University participate.

The postdoctoral researcher will study available collections in India (Pune, Lucknow) and the UK (London, Cambridge), synthesize the literature on the topic with regard to the history of millets in India and the modelling of crop selection processes, and compile authorized reference collections of millets and other relevant cereals for future research. S/he will also help coordinating the other two sub-projects and supervise the collection of botanical samples and the documentation of crop processing techniques in the context of the ethnographic research in India.

We are looking for a highly motivated applicant who holds a PhD in archaeobotany. This research requires a high degree of competence in archaeobotanical theory and methods, including (1) knowledge of taxonomy, morphology, ecology, and crop processing of cereals, (2) identification and interpretation of subfossil plant macro-remains, and (3) modelling of crop selection.

Experience in ethno-archaeobotanical work, a strong affinity with anthropology, and knowledge on digital archiving are an advantage. Good interpersonal skills, creativity, team work and independence are valued. Good communication in English is essential.

Selection of qualified applicants will be based on an application written in English including a motivation (up to one A4), curriculum vitae and personal references. Please include the names and contact details of two referees in your application. Selected candidates will be subject to an interview.

Fixed-term contract: 48 maanden.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
• a salary of € 3,746 (salary scale 11, step 0) gross per month for a full-time position
• a holiday allowance of 8% and an 8.3% year-end bonus and participation in a pension scheme for employees
• favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants
• minimum of 29 holidays and additional 12 holidays in case of full-time employment.
• a part-time appointment (0.5 fte) for a period of 4 years at the Groningen Institute of Archaeology, University of Groningen.

We comply with the conditions of employment of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. For more detailed information about working conditions and working for the University of Groningen, please check: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/

Preferred starting date: 1st January 2022.

Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen is built on a long-standing tradition of four centuries. Our mission is to be a top-ranking faculty with both an excellent education and world-quality research, with a strong international orientation. We build and share knowledge benefits to society. We work at a modern, broad and international institution, educating over 5,000 Dutch and international students to become forward-looking, articulate and independent academics. We are a diverse team of 700 staff members.

The Palaeobotany department of the Groningen Institute of Archaeology (GIA) is specialized in the analysis and interpretation of plant micro remains and plant macro remains. The research is aimed at reconstructing former vegetation, the exploitation of the vegetation, and the reconstruction of former food economies with special emphasis on the modelling of crop selection. Etno-archaeobotanical research is conducted in southwest Asia, India, and north Africa and the comparison of traditional agricultural practices and food processing is based on a standardized description of plant morphology and crop processing (Digital Plant Atlas project; www.plantatlas.eu).