Category Archives: Opportunities

Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Research Associate (Social Scientist) position at WSU

News, Opportunities, , ,

Washington State University (WSU) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Social Scientist) to work on a multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI).

The project focuses on plastic mulch end-of-life management decisions among strawberry growers in California in order to better understand the factors that help or hinder growers’ adoption of more sustainable practices (e.g., polyethylene mulch recycling) and technologies (e.g., biodegradable plastic mulches) that can help address the growing problem of agricultural plastic pollution. 

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work as part of the Human Dimensions Working Group headed by Dr. Jessica Goldberger (Rural Sociologist) in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. Responsibilities include conducting qualitative research with diverse stakeholders, conducting survey research, preparing project reports and manuscripts, delivering oral presentations, and other duties as needed.

Required qualifications include a PhD in rural sociology, sociology, anthropology, or closely related field; experience with qualitative research methods; experience with survey research; strong analytical skills, willingness to travel to California, project meetings, and conferences; ability to work independently; interest in agriculture, diffusion of innovations, the environment, and/or sustainability; excellent organizational and project management skills; and excellent written and oral communication skills. The primary location of the position is WSU’s Pullman campus. Start date: July 1, 2023 (negotiable).

To apply, please submit a cover letter, current CV, copies of academic transcripts, writing sample, and names and contact information for three professional references via the WSU job portal. Applicant screening will begin on January 15, 2023 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Jessica Goldberger or call +1 (509) 335-8540. WSU is an EEO/AA/ADD employer.

Deadline extended! ISA RC40 MENA workshop – Call for abstract

News, Opportunities, ,

The aim of this workshop is to support early-career researchers in agri-food from the Middle East (or working on the region, including Turkey and Iran) in moving their papers for successful publication in international journals in English. The objective is to provide feedback on the works-in progress (i.e., constructive feedback on draft papers), and advise the authors on some strategies to adopt for publishing.

Submit your applications by November 10, 2022: short bio (up to 200 words), a CV (including published work), and abstract (up to 400 words) of a paper proposition focusing on contemporary agri-food issues sent by email to Cynthia Gharios. 

• Applications are welcome from early-career agri-food researchers (PhD candidates or researchers within five years since achieving PhD)

• Priority will be given to those who have not yet managed to publish a paper in high-impact international journals.

• Priority will be given to non-native English language researchers and researchers from the region.

Successful applications will be notified by November 15th, 2022, and full papers (in English, 6,000 – 9,000 words) are expected by January 6th, 2023.

Authors will receive written comments from advisors and other authors, and an online workshop will take place with all early-careers and advisors on January 20th 2023

You can find full details on the RC40 website.

Job Opportunity: University of Montana

Opportunities, ,

The University of Montana Environmental Studies (EVST) Program invites applications for a tenure track position at the assistant professor level, beginning in August 2023. They seek an interdisciplinary community-engaged scholar, inspiring teacher, and effective mentor with expertise in climate equity, resilience, and policy to join their dynamic civically-engaged community of faculty and students.

Please visit the job listing to learn more about the position and how to apply. Priority applications due by Nov. 13 2022. 

Job Opportunity: Research Associate position in Social-Ecological Systems at QUT

News, Opportunities, , ,

A one-year, full-time research associate position is available at the Queensland University of Technology (part-time arrangements available as well). The Research Associate will join a dynamic research group dedicated to decision science and social-ecological systems research, looking to empower communities and governments to make more sustainable choices about agricultural production and food consumption. The position is open immediately, and would ideally suit someone with experience in social sciences methodologies and data management, and interests in research that links people and their practices with environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation. 

The primary purpose of the position is to contribute to two Australian Research Council projects focused on the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems. The two projects are:

• ‘Pathways to agri-food supply chains that co-benefit people and nature’ within the School of Biology & Environmental Science and the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy (led by Ayesha Tulloch); and

• ‘The local, regional and global human networks influencing adoption of sustainable practices in food production systems’ within the School of Architecture and Built Environments and the Centre for the Environment (led by Dr Angela Guerrero-Gonzalez).

More information about the position can be found via this link and on the attached position description: 22771- PD- Research Associate in Social-Ecological Systems.pdf (nga.net.au)

Applications can be made through the QUT careers website (www.qut.edu.au/careers, reference number 22771).

PhD scholarship opportunity: Food system resilience at the University of Melbourne

News, Opportunities, , ,

There is an exciting opportunity available for a PhD scholarship in the resilience of urban food systems with Professor Sarah Bell, City of Melbourne Chair in Urban Resilience and Innovation at the University of Melbourne, co-supervised by Dr Rachel Carey. Applications are due on 31 October.

More information is available here.

Job Opportunity: Lecturer in Sociology at University of Canterbury

News, Opportunities, , ,

Excerpt from Job Description:

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
Te Kura Mātāpuna Tangata | School of Language, Social & Political Sciences (LSAP) is seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Sociology with strengths including but not limited to environmental sociology. The successful candidate will teach the course Environment and Society and co-coordinate one of the level 100 sociology courses. They will also be able to develop courses in their particular area of expertise. 

Knowledge of and research expertise in environmental sociology in the Aotearoa New Zealand context is of central importance for teaching and supervision of students who live in and will primarily work in Aotearoa New Zealand/Australia. Someone who is able to address and research longstanding issues of Māori and Pasifika along the lines of sustainability and social movements would be a priority, in alignment with the UC strategic plan.

Other responsibilities will include pastoral care of students, postgraduate thesis supervision, research, administrative tasks, outreach, and supervision of tutors. The University is committed to developing biculturally competent, community-engaged and globally aware graduates and teaching which supports students’ ability to understand and interact effectively. Your teaching and professional development will reflect these values.

Applications close Sunday, 16 October 2022 (midnight NZ time)

Further details about the position and instructions about how to apply can be found here.

Job Opportunity: Assistant Professor in Public Engagement with Agriculture

News, Opportunities,

The Department of Community & Environmental Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is hiring a new tenure-track Assistant Professor specializing in public engagement with agriculture. The full listing, and instructions for applying, can be found here. Note: Applications must be submitted by September 30 to guarantee full consideration. 

The successful candidate will have an outstanding research record in public perceptions of and engagement with agricultural science and technology, with a research focus that is relevant and impactful for the Wisconsin dairy industry and complements existing faculty strengths. This might include but is not limited to public perceptions of and public engagement with: the role of science and technology in agriculture, animal welfare, the relationship between animal agriculture and land/water stewardship, labor relations, policy making and regulation of dairy production and organization, consumer decision-making, the relationship between community health and animal agriculture, the history and development of supply chains, social equity and class dynamics surrounding food and agriculture, or public understanding of nutritional labels and content. Research with international and comparative dimensions is welcome.

This newly created position is supported by the Dairy Innovation Hub in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. As a Hub-supported position, the faculty member will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other Hub researchers, pursue Hub funding opportunities, and participate in Hub programs.

Questions about the position? Contact Professor Noah Weeth Feinstein.

PhD Opportunities at the University of Münster

News, Opportunities, ,

Two PhD opportunities are being offered within a new working group, Economic Geography and Globalisation Research at the Institute of Geography.

“Reimagining rural householding, livelihoods, and communities”
WWU are looking for a dynamic and inquisitive PhD researcher to focus on “Reimagining the Economy” through an investigation of traditional and alternative “neo-rural” practices within the region of Molise, Italy. For more information and to apply, please view the full listing at WWU.

“Digital Agri-food Futures in the Mediterranean”
WWU are looking for a dynamic and motivated PhD researcher to focus on “Digital Food Futures” and investigate the digitisation of farming in the Mediterranean. The goal is to develop and conduct a qualitative research study within one or more Mediterranean countries. For more information and to apply, please view the full listing at WWU.

Applications for both positions close 15 August 2022.

PhD scholarship: University of Adelaide

News, Opportunities, , ,

A 3-year PhD Scholarship Opportunity linked to the Australian Research Council Discovery Project: ‘Artisanal Making and the Future of Small-Scale Local Production’ is available.

The scholarship is funded to support a full-time PhD student who is commencing research in cultural studies, media and communication studies, or a cognate discipline. The successful applicant will work with researchers Dr Michelle Phillipov (University of Adelaide) and Professor Susan Luckman (University of South Australia) to develop their own independent research project on a subject of relevance to the study, focusing on food and/or craft artisanal sectors. Applications are especially welcome from qualified applicants interested in undertaking research on the role of small-scale and artisanal production in tourism and place-branding in regional economies (especially South Australia, Victoria and/or Tasmania), or those interested in critical analysis of the recent history of ‘buy Australia’ or ‘Australian made’ marketing campaigns.

For further information refer to University of Adelaide Research Scholarships. Applications close 31 March 2022.