Join Us!
The position will be part of the project “Diversity in process - Towards multispecies assemblages for biodiversity governance (MultiDiv)” funded through the Biodiversa+ Initiative “Biodiversity and Transformative Change” (www.biodiversa.eu). The interdisciplinary project brings together teams from Sweden, France, Tunisia, the Netherlands and Germany to study biodiversity challenges and their governance in selected case studies from a relational perspective. Building on the concept of multispecies assemblages and a processual understanding of the concept of diversity as situational and emergent, the project aims to provide a novel way of conceptualizing and addressing the interlinked problems of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. Multispecies assemblages (MSA) include humans as one species among others and allow attending to cross-scale entanglements and interferences of the triple crises.
The project will configure multispecies assemblages of the blue crab in The Gulf of Gabès (Tunesia) and salinization in the Camargue (France). It will employ participatory mapping, interviews, ecological fieldwork, ethnography, arts-based methods and relation-based simulation modelling in transdisciplinary processes in order to examine ecological and socio-spatial change, existing biodiversity governance regimes and develop multispecies ethnographies to better understand the specific organization and spatiotemporal dynamics within MSA. This will open up opportunities for co-developing multispecies governance approaches with representatives of governance bodies and identifying ways to transform towards them. Finally, we will synthesize our learning across cases to enhance causal multispecies understanding of biodiversity.
What are you going to do
As a Postdoc you will be based in Amsterdam, conducting research in the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia, focusing on the case of the ‘blue crab’. You will work closely with Prof. M’charek, but also with the international team, in particular the four other Postdocs. The research is thus conducted in collaboration with this international team and will also entail organizational and management tasks.
This will include:
- conducting ethnographic research in the Gulf of Gabès;
- co-developing methodological approaches, and engaging in conceptualizing a multispecies assemblage for biodiversity governance;
- contribute to the synthesis and comparison across the two case studies and the larger Mediterranean region.
- co-organizing team-workshop and related events; biodiversity diversity walks and experimental methods (including artistic) workshops.
- undertaking administrative tasks related to the project, including reporting;
- being based in the Amsterdam area and taking an active part in team meetings and the research environment at the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR).
What do you have to offer
You have:
- a PhD within the social sciences or humanities. Social and cultural anthropology, environmental humanities, and Science and Technologies Studies are preferred academic backgrounds. The degree must have been obtained before the employment starting date;
- relevant research experience, studying issues of climate change, (marine) biodiversity, pollution;
- excellent oral and written communication skills in English; as well as French or Arabic.
- excellent command of ethnographic research methods;
- independent thinking and critical analytical skills;
- excellent collaboration and teamwork skills and the ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary team
- awareness of differential distributions of power and problems of discrimination, and experience with power critical perspectives;
- good organizational skills; independent and proactive work attitude; good planning and academic writing skills.
- a strong academic record.
You preferably have:
- previous research experience with ethnography related to (marine) biodiversity or related topics;
- previous research experience in Tunisia or the Maghreb.
- affinity with the field of Science and technologies Studies, Multispecies ethnographic methods;
This is what we offer you
The position concerns temporary employment of 30.4 hours per week (0,8 fte). Initial employment is for one year and will preferably start on 1 May 2026. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will then be extended by a maximum of 23 months (for a total period of 35 months).
For this position the University Job Classification profile “Researcher” applies. Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience.
The position also covers basic travel and research costs and provides ample opportunities to attend training courses and both national and international events.
What else do we offer
- an opportunity to work on a topic that is acutely relevant and promises to shape policy debates and international relations for years to come
- an enthusiastic international project-team and working environment
- a job in which initiative and critical thinking are encouraged and supported
- an inspiring academic and international community in the heart of Amsterdam
In this team you will work
You will work closely with prof. Amade Aouatef M’charek and in collaborations with the Marine biology team based at the University of Gabès (part of the field work site) as well as the four Postdocs that are part of MultiDiv-Project.
To work at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative, and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with academic colleagues as well as with the communities we study. You will be based within the program group Health Care and the Body. The Health, Care and the Body program group is a centre of excellence for research and teaching in medical anthropology, a hub for collaboration and methodological innovation on health-related topics germane to science and society. We are a close-knit community that values social interaction and peer support as much as academic performance.
Are you interested in questions of climate change, industrial pollution and loss of biodiversity, and curious how to grasp the complex relation between them? Are you an experienced ethnographer interested in studying marine environments? Are you as a social scientist eager to work together with marine biologists, policy makers and local actors? Then this position might be for you.
Join Us!
The position will be part of the project “Diversity in process - Towards multispecies assemblages for biodiversity governance (MultiDiv)” funded through the Biodiversa+ Initiative “Biodiversity and Transformative Change” (www.biodiversa.eu). The interdisciplinary project brings together teams from Sweden, France, Tunisia, the Netherlands and Germany to study biodiversity challenges and their governance in selected case studies from a relational perspective. Building on the concept of multispecies assemblages and a processual understanding of the concept of diversity as situational and emergent, the project aims to provide a novel way of conceptualizing and addressing the interlinked problems of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. Multispecies assemblages (MSA) include humans as one species among others and allow attending to cross-scale entanglements and interferences of the triple crises.
The project will configure multispecies assemblages of the blue crab in The Gulf of Gabès (Tunesia) and salinization in the Camargue (France). It will employ participatory mapping, interviews, ecological fieldwork, ethnography, arts-based methods and relation-based simulation modelling in transdisciplinary processes in order to examine ecological and socio-spatial change, existing biodiversity governance regimes and develop multispecies ethnographies to better understand the specific organization and spatiotemporal dynamics within MSA. This will open up opportunities for co-developing multispecies governance approaches with representatives of governance bodies and identifying ways to transform towards them. Finally, we will synthesize our learning across cases to enhance causal multispecies understanding of biodiversity.
What are you going to do
As a Postdoc you will be based in Amsterdam, conducting research in the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia, focusing on the case of the ‘blue crab’. You will work closely with Prof. M’charek, but also with the international team, in particular the four other Postdocs. The research is thus conducted in collaboration with this international team and will also entail organizational and management tasks.
This will include:
- conducting ethnographic research in the Gulf of Gabès;
- co-developing methodological approaches, and engaging in conceptualizing a multispecies assemblage for biodiversity governance;
- contribute to the synthesis and comparison across the two case studies and the larger Mediterranean region.
- co-organizing team-workshop and related events; biodiversity diversity walks and experimental methods (including artistic) workshops.
- undertaking administrative tasks related to the project, including reporting;
- being based in the Amsterdam area and taking an active part in team meetings and the research environment at the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR).
What do you have to offer
You have:
- a PhD within the social sciences or humanities. Social and cultural anthropology, environmental humanities, and Science and Technologies Studies are preferred academic backgrounds. The degree must have been obtained before the employment starting date;
- relevant research experience, studying issues of climate change, (marine) biodiversity, pollution;
- excellent oral and written communication skills in English; as well as French or Arabic.
- excellent command of ethnographic research methods;
- independent thinking and critical analytical skills;
- excellent collaboration and teamwork skills and the ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary team
- awareness of differential distributions of power and problems of discrimination, and experience with power critical perspectives;
- good organizational skills; independent and proactive work attitude; good planning and academic writing skills.
- a strong academic record.
You preferably have:
- previous research experience with ethnography related to (marine) biodiversity or related topics;
- previous research experience in Tunisia or the Maghreb.
- affinity with the field of Science and technologies Studies, Multispecies ethnographic methods;
This is what we offer you
The position concerns temporary employment of 30.4 hours per week (0,8 fte). Initial employment is for one year and will preferably start on 1 May 2026. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will then be extended by a maximum of 23 months (for a total period of 35 months).
For this position the University Job Classification profile “Researcher” applies. Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience.
The position also covers basic travel and research costs and provides ample opportunities to attend training courses and both national and international events.
What else do we offer
- an opportunity to work on a topic that is acutely relevant and promises to shape policy debates and international relations for years to come
- an enthusiastic international project-team and working environment
- a job in which initiative and critical thinking are encouraged and supported
- an inspiring academic and international community in the heart of Amsterdam
In this team you will work
You will work closely with prof. Amade Aouatef M’charek and in collaborations with the Marine biology team based at the University of Gabès (part of the field work site) as well as the four Postdocs that are part of MultiDiv-Project.
To work at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative, and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with academic colleagues as well as with the communities we study. You will be based within the program group Health Care and the Body. The Health, Care and the Body program group is a centre of excellence for research and teaching in medical anthropology, a hub for collaboration and methodological innovation on health-related topics germane to science and society. We are a close-knit community that values social interaction and peer support as much as academic performance.
If this vacancy speaks to you, but you are uncertain whether you meet all requirements, please do get in touch with us or apply. In light of our department’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive working environment, we strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates who come from groups historically disenfranchised by and underrepresented in Dutch academia.
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application. You may apply online by using the link below. Applications in one .pdf should be submitted no later than 2 March 2026 and should include:
- your application letter describing your qualifications and motivation for the position. Please specify which aspects of the project you are interested in and tell us which factors have brought you to your present focus of intellectual and scholarly interests (2 pages max.);
- your Curriculum Vitae;
- contact information for two academic references (no letters of recommendation at this stage).
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.
Questions
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