The Technology and Agrarian Development group is an dynamic, international group researching and teaching on nature-technology-society interaction in the department of Social Sciences of Wageningen University, the
Netherlands. We have one PhD position available in the field of political ecology and agrarian change, addressing issues of environmental governance, as part of a new five-year interdisciplinary research programme on ‘Panama Disease in Banana: Multi-level Solutions for a Global Problem’. This programme integrates research in the social sciences, environmental sciences, and plant sciences. The position is restricted to nationals from developing countries.
The programme studies the relationships between the nature of Panama disease in banana and the possible mechanisms for control. Panama disease is an expanding epidemic that threatens the livelihood of smallholders as well as the commercial banana business. Within this programme, this PhD project studies the various forms of governance at different levels (national-global, public-private) that have an effect on the control of Panama disease. We ask: How do governments in selected countries, actors in the banana commodity chain, global expert communities, and international regulatory bodies perceive the ‘threat’ of Panama disease and what kind of actions do they take on regional, national, or international regulation in order to halt the spread of Panama disease or mitigate its impact? How do the linkages or the absence of linkages between global governance frameworks (e.g. WTO-SPS; International Plant Protection Convention; OIRSA) and national policy frameworks constrain or enable effective control of the spread of Panama disease? How do shifts in governance, standards, and efforts to harmonize plant protection regulation influence the conditions for the disease to spread?
This project has a global character and studies actors operating at different levels (from global/international organizations to national level farmer associations). Field work sites will probably include the Philippines, Central America, and Rome-Italy (FAO), among others.
Requirements: Applicants should have a prior degree in political science, geography, anthropology, sociology, political ecology, development studies or related field. Candidates should have proven knowledge of, and experience in agrarian issues and collaboration with the natural/environmental sciences, such as biology, agronomy, or land use sciences. They should have the capacity to develop within this setting a strong and critical social science contribution. Skills and commitment to work in an interdisciplinary team are required. Previous research experience, social science background, and experience with qualitative research methods are preferred. Fluency in English is required and fluency in Spanish is highly desirable. Willingness to travel to different countries for data collection and skills to organize access to respondents at different levels is required. Strong scores at the Master level, and oral and written communication skills are required.
This is a ‘Sandwich PhD position’ open for qualified candidates from a developing country. The PhD candidate will receive an 18 month grant to spend the initial and final 6-9 months of the 4-year PhD Programme in Wageningen. The scholarship also covers all fees, the research costs and participation in international programme activities. The PhD candidate preferably has the support of their home institute or an international agency to complement their salary or fellowship for the whole research period. The PhD position will start Summer-Fall, 2012. Review of applications will begin April 10, 2012 and continue until an applicant is selected.
Application procedure: Applicants should send an email to inge.ruisch@wur.nl to obtain details of the scholarship, details on the requirements, a full description of the larger research programme and this project, further instructions on how to apply, and information about the procedure. Enquiries about the vacancy can be obtained from dr.ir. Kees Jansen, +31 317 484097. Applications should be sent to inge.ruisch@wur.nl and include the required documents in a single PDF document.
The Technology and Agrarian Development group has 6 Faculty members and a lively community of 44 international PhD candidates. PhD training programmes are being tailor-made. The PhD will also become a member of the Wageningen School of Social Sciences. Candidates thus work in a highly diverse and vibrant network. Within the Panama disease programme there are 7 PhD projects.
Additional information about the department: http://www.tad.wur.nl
Additional information about doing a PhD in Wageningen:
http://www.wageningenuniversity.nl/UK/informationfor/PhD+programmes/
Within two months we will also announce a PhD position on Global Pesticide Governance (a 4-year fellowship, no country restriction for the candidates).
