Offer Description
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences– Geography Department
Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in the field of relationships between protected area staff and local communities with expected 75 % part-time employment - E 13 TV-L HU (third-party funding limited until [contact details available in the full listing])
The candidate will join the newly established Conservation & People Lab in the Department of Geography. The lab investigates how human behaviour, decision-making, and social interactions shape biodiversity conservation. Our research brings together concepts and approaches from conservation science, social psychology, ecology, and quantitative social science to better understand relationships between people and nature. We collaborate closely with researchers and conservation practitioners worldwide and strive to produce research that advances scientific understanding while informing conservation policy and practice. The working language of the lab is English. The project offers excellent opportunities for international collaboration, field research in Cameroon, advanced training in quantitative social science and statistical modelling, publication in leading international journals, and participation in international scientific conferences.
Your responsibilities:
- scientific research services as part of the project funded by the Einstein Foundation
- research into the interactions between nature conservation and local populations, with a focus on understanding the relationships between protected area staff (e.g. rangers) and local communities in Cameroon
- investigations into how social, psychological, cultural, historical, and ecological factors shape relationships between protected area staff and local communities
- drawing on concepts and methods from behavioral science and conservation research, the project will contribute to developing and testing social-psychological theory, designing and evaluating evidence-based training for conservation rangers, and assessing how these approaches can strengthen communication, trust, and cooperation
- using socio-ecological field research, participatory methods, and quantitative analyses, the project aims to better understand how tensions arise and can be resolved in order to enable more effective and socially just nature conservation
- tasks for personal scientific qualification (doctorate/Ph.D.)
Your qualifications:
- completed scientific university degree in social psychology, conservation science, geography, ecology, environmental science, sociology, or a related discipline
- strong interest in conservation social psychology, the human dimensions of biodiversity conservation, and conservation law enforcement
- highly motivated to undertake field research in tropical protected areas in Cameroon and initial experience in field research, if possible
- strong motivation to engage with protected area staff (e.g. conservation rangers) and local communities
- interest in developing and evaluating training programs
- strong quantitative and analytical skills are essential
- experience with social science research using questionnaires
- experience with statistical programming in R/Stan or Python and motivation to further develop advanced statistical modelling skills
- excellent written and spoken English (at least C1 level)
- knowledge of French is desirable but not essential
- good communication and interpersonal skills
- ability to work both independently and collaboratively within an international and interdisciplinary research team
What we offer:
- an international, young, and collaborative research environment
- contribution to an ambitious interdisciplinary research programme funded by the prestigious Einstein-Foundation Berlin
- excellent opportunities for international collaboration, field research in Cameroon, advanced training in quantitative social science and statistical modelling, publication in leading international journals, and participation in international scientific conferences
- structured orientation and onboarding
- flexible working hours (flexitime)
- a pay scale classification (TV-L)
As a family-friendly university, we promote the compatibility of work and family life.
Your path to the HU:
Please send your complete application, referencing the job ID DR/145/26 to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Geography Department, Dr. Mahmood Soofi (located: Rudower Chaussee 16, 12489 Berlin), Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin or preferably in electronic form as a single PDF file to Ms Camille Dammann (camille.dammann@geo.hu-berlin.de) with a copy to Dr. Mahmood Soofi (m.soofi@kent.ac.uk).
Required application documents:
- letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)
- full curriculum vitae
- proof of the required qualification (certificates, diplomas, continuing education certificates)
- work references or evaluations
- writing sample (e.g. publication, thesis chapter, or Master's thesis)
- contact details for two academic referees
For further information regarding the scientific content of the position, please contact Dr. Mahmood Soofi (m.soofi@kent.ac.uk).
The position is scheduled to be filled on the earliest possible date.
The Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is seeking to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching, and specifically encourages qualified female scholars to apply. Severely disabled applicants with equivalent qualifications will be given preferential consideration. People with an immigration history are specifically encouraged to apply. Since we will not return your documents, please submit copies in the application only.
The Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is bound by collective agreements and applies the TV-L HU. Information on pay grading and the annual salary scale can be found here: https://hu.berlin/ETRL.
Information pursuant to Art. 12, 13 DSGVO on the processing of personal data at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin within the framework of job advertisements can be found on our website: https://hu.berlin/DSGVO.
Please visit our website which gives you access to the legally binding German version.
Where to apply
E-mail: camille.dammann@geo.hu-berlin.de
Requirements
Research Field: Psychological sciences » Other
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Environmental science » Other
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Geography
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Sociology
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Languages: English
Level: Excellent
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Geography Department
Country: Germany
City: Berlin
Postal Code: 12489
Street: Rudower Chaussee 16
Contact
State/Province: Berlin
City: Berlin
Website: https://www.hu-berlin.de/de
Street: Unter den Linden 6
Postal Code: 10099
This is a Preview Listing…
You must sign in to see the full job description, and to apply.
Manage / Upgrade this job to a Full Job Listing.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!