PhD in Environmental Justice for Brazil's Cerrado

University of Amsterdam (UvA); Netherlands; On-site; EUR 38,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is offering a PhD position within the CERRADO project, focusing on environmental justice in Brazil’s Cerrado. You will join an interdisciplinary team with local stakeholders to study sociobiodiversity, governance and sustainable agrarian change in MATOPIBA, Maranhão.

The PhD will co-produce knowledge aimed at policy impact and capacity building for grassroots organizations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Sciences or Environmental Sciences.
• Master thesis and/or publications demonstrating excellent research skills.
• Knowledge of environmental and agrarian justice theories.
• Solid knowledge of qualitative research methods.
• Experience with rural communities in Brazil.
• Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with non-academic actors is desirable.
• Excellent Portuguese and English proficiency.
• Availability for extended fieldwork stays in remote areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct PhD research within the CERRADO project framework.
• Collaborate with researchers, practitioners and grassroots organizations.
• Contribute to sociology, ecology, and governance analyses of MATOPIBA.
• Co-produce knowledge to support sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity.
• Help organize knowledge dissemination and policy-relevant outputs.
• Supervise and co-author Master theses within the PhD research area.
• Participate in national and international academic events and meetings.
• Engage in academic training through ARTES and CEDLA networks.
• Contribute to databases, data management, and collaborative platforms.
• Assist in organizing project-related activities and outreach.

Skills

Master's degree

Research skills

Qualitative methods

Portuguese language

English proficiency

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Fieldwork readiness

Rural Brazil experience

Education

Master's degree in Social Sciences or Environmental Sciences

Job description

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is offering a PhD position within the CERRADO project, focusing on environmental justice in Brazil’s Cerrado. You will join an interdisciplinary team with local stakeholders to study sociobiodiversity, governance and sustainable agrarian change in MATOPIBA, Maranhão.

The PhD will co-produce knowledge aimed at policy impact and capacity building for grassroots organizations.