Postdoctoral position in Social Anthropology - ERC project

About the project/work tasks:

The GENMAR-project will advance empirical and theoretical knowledge about why and how women are continuously marginalized in the fishery sector. 

Current research shows that fisherwomen’s roles and contributions are not only habitually underrecognized, but they are also often excluded from governance- and management processes and lack social and economic rights. However, we know little about how gender equality policies- and recommendations in fishery are negotiated through political- and advocacy systems. Further, in the face of increased attention to the issue, little is known of where and why it loses momentum in political systems. Moreover, women’s role and agency in fishery politics, advocacy and governance is an understudied field, offering limited knowledge of how and why their struggles are hindered.

GENMAR’s research objective is situated at the intersection of these three knowledge gaps. The project will develop a multi-sited, multi-scalar, comparative and theorized ethnography of gender inequality, gender advocacy and gender policies in fisheries in Spain, Brazil, Tanzania and Thailand, and a case study of fishery policy in the EU-commission and the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Theoretically, the project draws on the existing literature about the gendering of fisheries, in dialogue with gender studies, social science concept analysis, legal anthropology and anthropological approaches to the state, organizations, law and policy. Methodologically, the project draws on ethnographic fieldwork, extended interviews, focus groups, document- and media studies and law- and policy analysis. 

The project’s PI is Associate Professor Iselin Åsedotter Strønen. For more information about the project, see In/visible women of the sea. Gendering fishery politics and advocacy (GENMAR) | UiB

Responsibilities

• Pursue a postdoctoral project that directly contributes to GENMARs project’s focus on gender and fisheries at the local, regional, national and international level
• Conduct ethnographic field research for approximately one year in the course of the project period 
• Actively participate in research, publication, and dissemination activities of GENMAR
• Write and publish at least two articles plus a book chapter
• Present research at departmental seminars, project workshops and conferences, and international conferences
• Assist with organizational tasks in the project (e.g., research administration, events, publication output planning)
• Follow the highest standards of data management and ethical protocols and procedures in alignment with ERC requirements 
• Obtaining research permits when/if required, contribute to updating the project website and to communicating research findings to the public when appropriate 
• Collaborate actively with the GENMAR project team in developing innovative and ambitious lines of inquiry, joint research questions, literature reviews and theoretical frameworks

Qualifications and personal qualities:

Required qualifications

• The applicant must hold a PhD or an equivalent degree within social or cultural anthropology (dissertation must be approved by the deadline)
• A documented research trajectory reflecting the thematic and/or theoretical focus of GENMAR. Documented research experience with the gendering of fisheries is an advantage but is not an absolute requirement.   
• Ethnographic research experience from the country/region where ethnographic research is proposed conducted   
• In-depth knowledge of qualitative methods and documented experience with long-term, independent ethnographic field research. 
• Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate clearly
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment 
• Language skills enabling ethnographic fieldwork in candidates’ proposed research site (Brazil, Tanzania or Thailand). 
• The place of work for this position is Bergen, and the work requires that you are physically present at the Department of Social Anthropology on a daily basis (excluding fieldwork).

Desired qualifications

• A publication track record beyond the PhD dissertation
• Prior experience in large research projects and/or prior experience from working in academia in educational/institutional/organizational roles 
• Experience with research communication to an academic and/or public audience

The applicants will be assessed by an assessment committee, and the highest ranked candidates will be invited for an interview.

We can offer:

• A four-year position as a postdoctoral researcher within an ERC-funded project
• Gross annual salary as Postdoctoral research fellow, code 1352, of NOK 657 000. Further increase in salary will depend on seniority.
• Personal funds for fieldwork, books and conference attendance
• Being part of a tightly integrated, ambitious and collegial project group
• A dynamic and internationally recognized departmental research environment, with a strong portfolio on marine- and ocean research
• Bergen as a vibrant academic city with access to spectacular nature
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• Good welfare benefits