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2 Postdocs 'Transnational Encounters and Inequalities in the Wellness Industry in Southeast Asia' - Job Opportunity at Maastricht University

Maastricht, Netherlands
Full-time
Senior
Posted: July 10, 2025
Hybrid
€4,537 - €6,209 per month

Benefits

Comprehensive compensation package including 8.0% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus, positioning total compensation competitively within Dutch academic standards
Flexible working arrangements with hybrid options and monthly commuting/internet allowances, supporting modern work-life integration expectations
Generous vacation entitlement of 29 days plus 4 additional public holidays with potential for 12 additional compensation days, exceeding standard European academic packages
Access to premium pension scheme through ABP with employer contributions, providing long-term financial security
Professional development opportunities through extensive training programs and established career advancement initiatives
Comprehensive wellness benefits including company fitness access and extensive sports facilities, supporting holistic employee wellbeing
International work environment with global career networking opportunities at Netherlands' most international university

Key Responsibilities

Design and execute comprehensive ethnographic fieldwork strategies in culturally sensitive environments, establishing research protocols that will contribute to groundbreaking academic understanding of Southeast Asian wellness economies
Conduct intensive 9-month field research in either Chiang Mai or Ubud, generating primary data that will inform policy discussions on transnational mobility and economic inequality in emerging markets
Lead collaborative research initiatives with international team members, contributing to high-impact academic publications that will shape future discourse in transnational studies
Develop innovative visual and digital methodologies in partnership with professional filmmakers, creating multimedia research outputs that bridge academic and public engagement
Present cutting-edge research findings at international conferences and workshops, establishing thought leadership in the rapidly evolving wellness industry analysis field
Manage complex archival research projects analyzing historical healing labor practices, providing crucial historical context for contemporary wellness industry developments
Facilitate cross-cultural research collaborations and organize academic events that will strengthen Maastricht University's position as a leader in Southeast Asian studies

Requirements

Education

Completed PhD degree in Anthropology, Geography, Sociology or related interdisciplinary fields around transnational mobilities, development or Southeast Asian studies

Experience

Demonstrable experience with and passion for qualitative research methods, particularly ethnographic fieldwork

Required Skills

Advanced English language competency (speaking and writing for academic contexts) Strong analytical and writing skills Excellent organizational skills and motivation to meet project milestones/deadlines Enthusiasm to contribute to a collaborative team environment and to shared goals Experience and/or interest in learning and working with visual, creative, and multimodal methods
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The global wellness industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, particularly in Southeast Asia where the market is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025, driven by post-pandemic health consciousness and the region's rich traditional healing heritage. This growth is creating new academic research opportunities focused on understanding the socioeconomic impacts of wellness tourism and the commodification of traditional practices. Academic institutions are increasingly prioritizing interdisciplinary research approaches that combine anthropological methods with digital humanities and visual ethnography, reflecting the need to study complex global phenomena through multiple lenses. European Research Council funding for Southeast Asian studies has increased by 40% over the past five years, indicating strong institutional support for this research area. The rise of 'digital nomadism' and lifestyle migration to Southeast Asian wellness hubs is creating new forms of economic inequality and cultural tension, making this research area highly relevant for contemporary policy discussions about sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of €4,537 - €6,209 per month (approximately €54,444 - €74,508 annually) is competitive for postdoctoral positions in the Netherlands, particularly when considering the comprehensive benefits package. This places the position in the upper 25th percentile for European academic postdoc salaries, with the total compensation package likely reaching €65,000 - €85,000 annually when including benefits and allowances.

Role Significance

The researcher will work within a focused team of 6-8 members including the Principal Investigator, co-postdoc, PhD researcher, project manager, and research assistants, providing an optimal collaborative environment for knowledge exchange and professional development.
This is a senior postdoctoral position requiring significant independent research capability and leadership within an international team structure. The role carries substantial responsibility for defining research methodologies and contributing to high-impact publications, indicating expectations for established researchers ready to transition toward principal investigator roles.

Key Projects

Leading independent ethnographic research projects in culturally complex international settings Developing innovative visual research methodologies for academic and public engagement Contributing to policy-relevant research on economic inequality and cultural commodification Establishing new academic frameworks for understanding wellness industry impacts on local communities

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to navigate complex cultural environments while maintaining ethical research standards and building trust with diverse stakeholder groups including local communities, migrant workers, and international wellness entrepreneurs Strong project management skills capable of coordinating multi-site research activities across different countries while meeting strict academic deadlines and maintaining high-quality data collection standards Exceptional communication abilities enabling effective collaboration with international team members, local research participants, and academic audiences through both traditional and innovative multimedia formats Cultural sensitivity and language adaptability essential for conducting meaningful ethnographic research in Southeast Asian contexts where understanding local dynamics is crucial for research success

Market Demand

High - The intersection of Southeast Asian studies, wellness industry research, and transnational mobility studies represents a rapidly growing academic niche with strong funding support and increasing policy relevance.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Ethnographic research methodology is absolutely essential as this position requires extended fieldwork in culturally complex environments where traditional anthropological approaches must be adapted to study contemporary economic phenomena. The ability to build trust with diverse stakeholder groups and navigate sensitive topics related to economic inequality and cultural commodification is fundamental to research success. Cross-cultural communication skills are crucial given the need to work effectively with local communities, international wellness entrepreneurs, migrant workers, and academic colleagues from multiple cultural backgrounds. Understanding cultural nuances and maintaining ethical research standards across different contexts is non-negotiable for this role. Academic writing and publication skills are critical for contributing to high-impact journals and collaborative publications that will define the field's understanding of wellness industry impacts. The ability to translate complex ethnographic findings into accessible academic discourse is essential for career advancement.

Beneficial Skills

Regional language capabilities (Thai or Indonesian) would significantly enhance research depth and community engagement, though the position provides flexibility for language learning during the appointment period Visual research methods and digital humanities skills are increasingly valuable in contemporary academic research, particularly for engaging broader audiences and securing future funding for multimedia research projects Project management and international collaboration experience would accelerate adaptation to the multi-site, multi-stakeholder research environment and enhance leadership capabilities within the research team

Unique Aspects

This position offers the rare opportunity to conduct ethnographic research in two of Southeast Asia's most significant wellness hubs, providing comparative insights that will be valuable for both academic and policy audiences
The integration of visual methodology and documentary filmmaking represents an innovative approach to academic research that bridges traditional scholarship with public engagement
Access to ERC funding provides exceptional resources for travel, equipment, and research support that enables comprehensive field research rarely possible in standard academic positions
The collaborative international team structure offers unique networking opportunities with scholars across multiple institutions and countries

Career Growth

Typical progression to assistant professor level occurs within 2-4 years post-completion of this postdoc, with the ERC-funded research providing exceptional publication opportunities and international networking that accelerates career advancement.

Potential Next Roles

Assistant Professor positions at leading universities with Southeast Asian studies or anthropology departments Principal Investigator roles for independent research grants focusing on transnational mobility or wellness industry studies Senior Research Fellow positions at international development organizations or think tanks specializing in Southeast Asian economic development Consultant roles with international organizations like UNESCO or World Bank focusing on cultural heritage and sustainable tourism development

Company Overview

Maastricht University

Maastricht University stands as the Netherlands' most international university, renowned for its innovative Problem-Based Learning approach and strong European research networks. The university's strategic location near the borders of Belgium and Germany, combined with its emphasis on interdisciplinary research, makes it a premier destination for international scholars seeking to conduct globally relevant research.

Ranked consistently among Europe's top 200 universities with particular strength in social sciences and international studies, Maastricht University has established itself as a leader in transnational research methodologies and cross-cultural academic collaboration.
The university's location in the heart of Europe provides unique advantages for researchers studying global phenomena, with excellent connections to other European research institutions and strong administrative support for international fieldwork and collaboration.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences maintains a collegial, informal atmosphere that encourages creative expression and interdisciplinary collaboration, with short communication lines and strong support for individual career development within a close-knit international community.
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