Postdoctoral Fellow – UNFPA Project on Elder Care and the Care Economy

Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Experience: NA
Salary: Not specified

The International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD) is a leading academic research center based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, devoted to advancing new thinking and scholarship on migration, aging, and development. Established in 2019, IIMAD has quickly become India’s largest interdisciplinary research network in the field of migration, bringing together experts, scholars, and practitioners from across the country and the world.

IIMAD’s mission is to foster debate, research, policy analysis, and community engagement on migration and development at global, national, and local scales. The institute collaborates with government and non-government organizations, working on issues ranging from international migration and refugee studies to elderly care, gender, and labor. IIMAD is known for its cutting-edge, practice-oriented research and its commitment to policy formulation that addresses real-world challenges.

With a strong track record of impactful projects—such as the Kerala Ageing Survey and studies on the feminisation of agricultural labor—IIMAD is at the forefront of research that shapes policy and improves lives. The institute values diversity, intellectual exploration, and collaboration, providing a welcoming environment for scholars and practitioners passionate about social change.

Role

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at IIMAD, you’ll join an interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research project funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The project, “Towards an Inclusive Future: Reimagining Elder Care and the Care Economy in India,” aims to evaluate India’s elder care system by systematically analyzing its social, economic, cultural, geographic, and health dimensions. You’ll play a key role in research that informs inclusive, equitable, and rights-based policy recommendations for India’s rapidly aging population.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews on elder care and the care economy
• Lead and manage fieldwork activities, including designing, implementing, and analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data
• Prepare high-quality research outputs, including academic publications, policy briefs, and conference presentations
• Coordinate and execute project activities, including stakeholder engagement, workshops, and dissemination events
• Collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator and research team to ensure timely delivery of project milestones and maintain research excellence

Requirements

• PhD. in Demography, Economics, Sociology, Public Health, or a related discipline (awarded within the past three years or expected by appointment)
• Demonstrated expertise in aging, care work, social policy, or related areas
• Experience with large-scale surveys, fieldwork, data analysis, and interdisciplinary research projects
• Proven research and publication record
• Strong skills in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Prior experience in a research-intensive institution is preferred

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Initial 6-month contract with potential extension up to 24 months based on performance
• Opportunity to contribute to a high-impact, policy-relevant research project
• Supportive, intellectually stimulating work environment

Apply

Submit a cover letter (max 1,000 words), CV (with referees), and a writing sample (preferably a published article focused on aging or a related theme) by June 15, 2025.