Postdoc ecosystem services and livelihoods College; LUC

Offer Description

Postdoctoral Researcher on interdependencies between biodiversity, socioeconomic development, and human well‑being (1.0 FTE, 24 months). The position will contribute to the transdisciplinary project on Peace and Conservation of Ecology at Disputed Seas (PaCE).

The position will examine how the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea (SCS/WPS) contributes to socio‑economic development, and human well‑being; disaggregate ecosystem service flows and equity in these flows for selected countries that stake a claim on the SCS/WPS; and assess historical and current livelihood impacts of geopolitical conflict in the above‑mentioned area. In addition, the appointed postdoc will actively contribute to multi‑sectoral stakeholder workshops intended to foster enabling conditions of science diplomacy for biodiversity conservation of the SCS/WPS.

This position will be responsible for developing a field research protocol, and for local community outreach, in addition to the tasks outlined above. The postdoc position will be embedded in an interdisciplinary consortium consisting of scholars who are in Germany and Taiwan.

You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.

• Implement a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑analyses (PRISMA) on SCS/WPS’ contribution to socio‑economic development and human well‑being.
• Plan and conduct field work in case study areas (e.g. Philippines, Vietnam).
• As part of the field work, conduct a quantitative survey to assess ecosystem service flows and conduct interviews and/or focus group discussions to examine equity dimensions.
• Contribute to a mixed‑methods livelihood analysis to assess historical and current livelihood impacts of geopolitical conflict in the case study.
• Support the organisation and facilitation of project‑related multi‑sectoral stakeholder workshops.
• Respectfully engage with local communities and stakeholders.
• Actively collaborate with other PaCE team members.
• Publish scientific papers related to the tasks mentioned above.

PaCe in the Netherlands will be based at Leiden University College The Hague (LUC), the international English‑language Honours College of Leiden University. Talented and motivated students from all over the world come to The Hague especially to take part in the innovative Liberal Arts and Science programme that focuses on today's global challenges. For more than a decade, LUC has been holding a spot in the Keuzegids Universiteiten as the best‑rated University College in the Netherlands.

The academic staff, with diverse backgrounds and disciplines, have a passion for teaching and education in which the student is central. LUC is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA), one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. This young, entrepreneurial, innovative organisation has three scientific institutes, two centres, over 3,700 students and 425 staff members. For more information about the FGGA Faculty,  .

• A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a topic relevant to the project (e.g. sustainability science, development studies, social environmental science, social sciences, human geography, environmental geography, marine social science).
• You have expertise in one or more of these areas:
  • Ecosystem services/nature’s contribution to people
  • Livelihood analysis
  • Gender analysis
  • Equity
  • Marine social analysis
  • Resilience
  • Social‑ecological systems
• You have strong quantitative research skills (e.g. quantitative analyses of ecosystem services or nature’s contribution to people).
• You have knowledge in, or are willing to strengthen your skills in, qualitative research.
• Strong communication skills particularly writing skills in English.
• Experience in conducting field work, and willingness to spend a number of months in field work in the Philippines and/or Vietnam.
• Strong research track record.
• Ability to work in an inter‑cultural setting.
• Ability to collaborate with scholars from other disciplines.

• Experience in mixed methods…