CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER NUMIC
Background
The Millennium Nucleus “Urban Insecurity and Cohesion” (NUMIC) invites applications for one postdoctoral researcher position for a one-year period (March 2027–March 2028), with the possibility of renewal for an additional year, subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance. Applications are open to candidates of all nationalities.
NUMIC is a research project funded by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID). The project examines how multiple forms of insecurity arising from structural conditions and situated experiences interact and shape social ties across different urban spaces (housing, neighborhoods, public space, transport, work, education, and consumption). The project is based on a comparative analysis of three Chilean cities (Santiago, Concepción, and Iquique).
Research Areas
Applicants may focus on one or more of the following research lines:
- Temporal and generational dimensions of insecurity: research on the accumulation of insecurities over the life-course, family strategies of protection and social mobility, expectations about the future.
- Collective responses to insecurity: research on (dis)attachment and (dis)trust toward institutions, territories, and social groups; collective organization; political contestation; and strategies of coordination and adaptation in response to experiences of insecurity.
- Symbolic dimensions of insecurity: research on mechanisms of boundary-making (stigma, prestige) across different urban domains, and their effects on identities and social ties.
- Recognition and legitimacy of insecurity: research on the processes through which different forms of insecurity are interpreted, recognized, or rendered invisible, and their consequences for social cohesion.
- Residential insecurity and segregation: research on different forms of residential and housing insecurity and how they relate to dynamics of urban segregation.
Given the limited availability of data on these topics, proposals are expected to include a clear strategy for primary data collection and/or the identification of existing data sources.
Profile
Required qualifications
- PhD in sociology, economics, urban studies, geography, political science, or related fields. The PhD must have been obtained within the last three years (cut-off date: March 2024).
- Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and/or mixed methods.
- Demonstrated research experience in the thematic areas of this call.
- Proficiency in English (reading and writing) and in Spanish for international applicants
Additional qualifications
- Publications related to the project’s research topics in peer-reviewed journals.
- Experience participating in research projects.
- Participation in conferences and other forms of engagement with the scientific community.
Responsibilities
- Conduct original, high-quality empirical research that contributes to the interdisciplinary research agenda of the Nucleus.
- Participate actively in NUMIC meetings, seminars, and research activities.
- Contribute to outreach and public dissemination activities associated with NUMIC.
- Submit at least one manuscript to a Q1 WOS journal during 2027, in co-authorship with NUMIC researchers.
Terms and conditions
- Full-time position (42 hours per week).
- Candidates must reside in Chile or be able to relocate to Chile at the start of the appointment.
- Gross monthly salary of CLP 2,200,000, corresponding to an annual gross salary of CLP 26,400,000 (approximately USD 30,000).
- The postdoctoral researcher will work in close collaboration with Quentin Ramond, NUMIC researcher and Director of the Center for Social Economics and Policy Studies (CEAS) at Universidad Mayor. Office space at CEAS will be provided.
Application process
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- CV (maximum 2 pages), including academic degrees, publications, and research projects.
- Letter of interest (maximum 3 pages) describing the proposed research project, the data to be collected and/or used, and the reasons for applying to the NUMIC Millennium Nucleus.
- One publication (journal article, book chapter, or chapter from the doctoral dissertation).
- Two letters of recommendation. Letters may not be written by NUMIC researchers and must be sent directly by the endorsers to: nucleomilenionumic@gmail.com
All application files must be submitted in PDF format by August 15, 2026, to nucleomilenionumic@gmail.com, with the subject line: “NUMIC CEAS Postdoctoral Position”.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to Quentin Ramond at quentin.ramond@umayor.cl
Timeline
- June 20, 2026 – August 15, 2026: Application period.
- September 1–11, 2026: Interviews (in person or via videoconference).
- Late September 2026: Notification of results.