March 12, 2026 | News | New Faces at MPIDR
Welcome, Moradhvaj Dhakad!
Moradhvaj Dhakad is joining the Laboratory of Demographic Data at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR). © MPIDR/Schulz
The Laboratory of Demographic Data welcomes Moradhvaj Dhakad as a new team member. Moradhvaj is joining the Datalab as a scientist researcher as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship program. Prior to joining MPIDR, he worked at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), University of Vienna and the Vienna Institute of Demography (VID) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He completed his PhD in Population Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi and holds a Master’s in the same field from the International Institute for Population Sciences in Mumbai. During his time at MPIDR, Moradhvaj will work on a scientific project focusing on the burden of adult mortality in India, with a particular focus on socioeconomic inequality.
Which question is the most important one for you in your research?
My research focuses on health and mortality, with a particular emphasis on socioeconomic inequalities in survival. I am deeply interested in understanding why some population groups live longer than others, and which factors drive these survival differences. Specifically, I examine how individual and household characteristics, such as education, income, and social groups, shape health trajectories and mortality risks over the life course. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to a clearer understanding of how structural inequalities translate into unequal life chances.
Related Press Release: Education Matters More Than Income to Reduce Premature Adult Mortality in India
Why did you choose MPIDR as your new employer and what are you particularly looking forward to as you start working at the MPIDR?
When I began developing my proposal for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, the MPIDR immediately came to mind as one of the world’s leading institutions in demography. I was fortunate that Domantas Jasilionis, from the Laboratory of Demographic Data agreed to supervise and further develop the project with me, and I am grateful that the proposal was successfully awarded. Even before applying, I heard from a colleague that the MPIDR is an excellent and collaborative research environment. Since arriving, I have experienced a very supportive atmosphere from colleagues. I have also been especially impressed by the helpfulness of the International Office. I am looking forward to collaborating with colleagues working on health and mortality, especially in the context of low- and middle-income countries. I see strong potential for interdisciplinary and comparative research that can generate policy-relevant insights.
Where are you from? What do you miss most about home?
I come from a small village in Rajasthan, in northern India. I especially miss the food and my family.
What do you like about Rostock?
Rostock is a beautiful city. Being a relatively small city, daily life is convenient, and most places are easily accessible without long travel times. Compared to my previous experience in Vienna, I have also found it much easier to secure a kindergarten place for my child, which makes settling in significantly smoother for families.
What is your favorite and what is your least favorite part about work?
I particularly enjoy approaching research questions from an interdisciplinary perspective and engaging in discussions that refine theoretical and methodological approaches. However, revising a manuscript and rereading the same draft can become monotonous.
What are you obsessed with at the moment besides demography?Beyond demography, I am very interested in following national and international news, mainly political news, and global developments.