The Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) has announced applications for its Postdoctoral Programme, offering early-career researchers an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research, teaching, and applied practice while receiving extensive institutional support and mentorship.

The programme, which has supported young scholars for more than a decade, is being repositioned to develop the next generation of faculty for the newly established IIHS University while strengthening interdisciplinary higher education in India.

Successful candidates will receive a fellowship of INR 1,25,000 per month, along with research funding, conference support, teaching experience, and access to IIHS’s extensive academic and professional networks.

About the IIHS Postdoctoral Programme

The IIHS Postdoctoral Programme builds on the institution’s long-standing commitment to advancing research and scholarship on urbanisation, sustainability, governance, development, and social transformation.

Over the past fifteen years, IIHS has emerged as a leading interdisciplinary institution in the Global South, focusing on challenges and opportunities across cities, towns, villages, and broader social-ecological systems.

The programme combines three core institutional pillars:

Research
Applied Research and Practice
Teaching and Pedagogy

Participants will contribute to knowledge creation while gaining practical experience in academic instruction, policy engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

A Pathway to Future Faculty Positions

One of the distinguishing features of the IIHS Postdoctoral Programme is its emphasis on faculty development.

The programme is designed to:

Build a new generation of interdisciplinary scholars.
Prepare researchers for academic careers.
Develop teaching and pedagogical skills.
Create pathways into faculty positions at IIHS University.
Strengthen India’s higher education ecosystem.

Outstanding fellows may be encouraged to apply for faculty positions within IIHS upon successful completion of the programme.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are currently open to Indian citizens only.

Eligible applicants must:

Hold a PhD completed within two years of the application date.
Demonstrate strong academic and research credentials.
Possess a proven publication record.
Show interest in interdisciplinary and applied research.
Demonstrate potential for teaching and academic leadership.

Candidates who have submitted their doctoral thesis and are awaiting completion of degree requirements may also apply.

Key Selection Criteria

IIHS will assess applicants based on:

Academic qualifications
Research excellence
Publication record
Teaching experience
Interdisciplinary research interests
Alignment with IIHS Schools and thematic areas
Commitment to applied and policy-relevant research

Candidates with experience working across disciplinary boundaries are particularly encouraged to apply.

Five Interdisciplinary Schools at IIHS

Postdoctoral Fellows will be affiliated with one of IIHS’s five interdisciplinary Schools.

School of Governance

Research themes include:

Urban Governance
Public and Infrastructure Finance
Infrastructure Regulation and Decarbonisation
Materials Governance
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development

School of Economic Development

Areas of focus include:

Urban and Regional Economic Development
Land and Real Estate
Employment and Livelihoods
Housing
Urban Infrastructure Finance

School of Human Development

Research priorities include:

Social Inequality and Stratification
Urban Culture and Everyday Life
Urban Health Systems
Social Protection
Affordable Housing

School of Systems and Infrastructure

Key themes include:

Infrastructure Governance
Water Systems
Energy Systems
High-Performance Buildings
Resilient Infrastructure and Services

School of Environment and Sustainability

Research areas include:

Climate Change Adaptation
Aquatic and Water Systems
Food and Agricultural Systems
Ecological Economics
Climate and Environmental Governance

The thematic areas continue to evolve as IIHS expands its academic and research portfolio.

Roles and Responsibilities of Postdoctoral Fellows

Postdoctoral Fellows will actively contribute to teaching, research, and institutional development activities.

Teaching Responsibilities

Fellows will receive structured training in interdisciplinary pedagogy and academic instruction.

Responsibilities include:

Teaching in Master’s programmes.
Potentially contributing to undergraduate programmes.
Co-teaching alongside faculty mentors.
Assisting with doctoral seminars.
Supporting summer and winter schools.
Designing and delivering elective or methods courses during the second year.

Research and Applied Research

Fellows will be expected to:

Conduct independent research aligned with IIHS themes.
Participate in collaborative research projects.
Contribute to applied research initiatives.
Develop and submit external grant proposals.
Engage with both research and practice programmes.

At least 20% of a fellow’s time must be dedicated to applied research activities.

Public Engagement Activities

Participants will also contribute to broader knowledge dissemination through:

Public lectures
Academic presentations
Policy engagement
Community outreach initiatives
Public scholarship activities

Fellows are expected to deliver at least one public engagement activity annually.

Institutional Support and Benefits

IIHS offers comprehensive support to help fellows succeed academically and professionally.

Benefits include:

Financial Support

Monthly fellowship of INR 1,25,000
Internal research funding
Fieldwork support
Equipment and project assistance

Conference Funding

Fellows receive support for:

One international conference annually
Academic dissemination activities
Professional networking opportunities

Mentorship and Professional Development

Participants benefit from:

Dedicated academic supervisors
Assigned mentors from other IIHS units
Pedagogical training
Research development workshops
Capacity-building programmes

Access to World-Class Research Infrastructure

Fellows will have access to several specialized IIHS facilities, including:

Geospatial Lab
Media Lab
Urban Informatics Lab
Word Lab
Long-Term Urban Ecological Observatory
IIHS Library

Participants will also have access to campus recreation and sports facilities.

Programme Duration

The appointment is structured as:

Initial one-year fellowship
Possibility of extension for a second year based on performance and review

Regular evaluations will include:

Quarterly supervisor meetings
Six-month reviews with mentors
Annual programme assessments

Career Opportunities After Completion

Successful fellows may pursue a variety of academic and professional pathways.

Potential outcomes include:

Faculty positions at IIHS University
Research appointments within IIHS Centres and Labs
Academic careers at universities in India and abroad
Leadership roles in research institutions
Policy and development sector positions

The programme seeks to create scholar-practitioners capable of addressing complex urban and developmental challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.

Application Process

Applications are accepted twice annually:

March intake for September commencement
October intake for January commencement

For the current cycle, IIHS has adopted a rolling application process.

Applicants must submit:

Research statement
Teaching statement
Writing sample
Sample course outline (if previously taught)

The institution encourages applicants to align their proposed work with one of the five Schools while demonstrating openness to interdisciplinary collaboration.

Why Scholars Should Apply

The IIHS Postdoctoral Programme offers a unique opportunity for early-career researchers to combine teaching, research, and real-world impact within one of India’s leading interdisciplinary institutions.

With generous financial support, world-class mentorship, access to advanced research infrastructure, and potential pathways into faculty positions, the programme provides a strong foundation for scholars seeking to build influential careers in academia, research, and public policy.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Communications & Media Studies

IIHS Postdoctoral Programme 2026 Invites Applications from Early-Career Indian Scholars with Fellowship of INR 1.25 Lakh Per Month @Career Indian Scholars with Fellowship of INR 1.25 Lakh Per Month