Postdoc researcher for social-ecological systems in ape habitat

Postdoc researcher for social-ecological systems in ape habitat

The tropical landscapes inhabited by African and Asian apes are complex social-ecological systems, in which rapidly growing human populations and local to global demand for natural resources are increasing the pressure on wildlife. Many protected areas have been created over the last decades. The further improvement of their effectiveness, however, will require innovative solutions from practitioners and scientists. Similarly, outside protected areas in resource extraction concessions for logging, mining or industrial agriculture, new solutions for balancing wildlife conservation and sustainability of natural resource use need to be developed.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a background in sustainability science, environmental economics, socio-economics or related field and with particular interest and experience in complex social-ecological systems to join our team and project. The research to be conducted will focus on the improvement of the evidence-base for the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of biodiversity in African and Asian great ape habitats. It further aims to identify those control, management and social-ecological contexts under which ‘Resource Management Areas’ (protected areas, mining, logging concessions) have proven to be particularly stable and resilient to disturbances.

The successful candidate will contribute with his/her research to the development of a conceptual framework for the analysis of complex social-ecological systems considering their specific characteristics in ape habitats, as well as its application for protected areas and resource extraction concessions. The candidate should have strong quantitative skills, and a keen interest to apply concepts and tools from complexity science. The work will also include regular travels to the field for which proficiency in French is desirable. 

The position is fully funded (according to TVöD) and will initially be available for two years, but can be extended for up to five years depending on performance. The place of work will be at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), located in Leipzig, Germany.

Please send a CV, cover letter, list of publications and the contact details of two referees to Dr. Hjalmar Kuehl (kuehl@eva.mpg.de). Please reference “Postdoc social-ecological systems in ape habitat” in the subject line.