Research Associate in Patterns and Drivers of Livelihood Shifts in River Deltas of South Asia

Lancaster Environment Centre
Salary: £28,331 to £32,817
Closing Date: Thursday 13 February 2020
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: A2933

GCRF Living Deltas hub: Patterns and Drivers of Livelihood Shifts in River Deltas of South Asia

An exciting opportunity exists to work as part of a major research project exploring social and natural impacts facing three Asian river deltas. The UKRI GCRF Living Deltas project, launched in February 2019, will receive £15.3 million over five years to examine the cultural heritage and livelihood of delta communities (http://www.livingdeltas.org/).

The Hub is coordinated in Newcastle University by Prof Andy Large and has over 20 partners across the deltas regions of interest and beyond. Its core aim: a significant contribution to better sustainable development outcomes for developing countries in the region, transforming policy and practice based on new approaches to understanding delta change. The Hub will address the significant social-ecological challenges currently facing these delta systems in a transdisciplinary manner that responds to the interlinked agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This post, based at Lancaster University, will work closely with a team of PDRAs at partner institutions, to generate a deeper understanding of the patterns and drivers of livelihood shifts, with specific focus on young entrepreneurs’ role in diversifying livelihoods. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the researcher will use social science approaches to understand dimensions of and changes to livelihoods being practiced in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) delta and its comparability/ contrast with Mekong and Red River Deltas of Vietnam.

A major element of the post will be to implement a conceptual framework to examine drivers and patterns of shifts and tipping points in delta livelihoods. You will document and analyse livelihood categories and instances/trajectories of shifts involving (with potential to involve) young entrepreneurs within the study communities, as well as contribute to the Hub’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) data repository. The findings and data will inform scientists, policy makers, development actors and local communities about risks and vulnerabilities of livelihoods to natural and social changes in the river deltas and ways to enhance livelihood-based resilience.

You will hold a PhD in a relevant topic within the broad discipline of Environment and Development, and will have research expertise using social science methodologies as well as having experience of working in large international teams and on project management. You will be self-motivated, collaborative and hold strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently is also essential. Fluency in local language(s) spoken in the river deltas of interest is an important desirable criterion.

The post will be for approximately 3 years, Informal inquiries may be directed to Manoj Roy, m.roy1@lancaster.ac.uk

We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.

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