Job offer – Investigating small scale fishers’ livelihoods and access to fish and seafood
The ECOMERS laboratory (FRE3927, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis & CNRS) wishes to recruit an expert in conservation social science. This activity is linked to the ones developed in the framework of the FishMPAblue2 European project.
Overview:
The University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (UNS) is an interdisciplinary university receiving every year more than 25,000 students. It comprises approximately 1600 academics and 1100 administrative staff. The institutional scopes of the UNS are research and education. UNS encompasses 44 research laboratories and is ranked in the top 3% universities worldwide (Shangai academic ranking).
The lab ECOMERS is specialized in fundamental and applied marine ecology. Most of the research work is carried out in the Mediterranean Sea and addresses both theoretical (ecosystem functioning, biology and ecology of species and communities; bioecological changes under the influence of climate change) and applied issues (ecosystem-wide conservation and assessment; marine protected areas; management of human activities in coastal areas; sustainable small scale fishing; ecotoxicological bio-surveillance).
Context of the project:
FishMPABlue2 project is the follow-up of the FishMPABlue project funded by Interreg MED Programme 2007-2013 (from now on: FishMPABlue 1).
FishMPABlue 1 carried out an analysis (based on literature review and questionnaires answer by MPA’s managers) on the management of small scale fishery (SSF) within and around a set of Mediterranean MPAs, and developed the so called “regional-based governance toolkit” of potential measures for SSF governance in and around MPAs (i.e. composed by multiple key-elements, also called “tools”, see FishMPABlue 1 outputs) enabling MPAs to reach successful management of SSF. More specifically FishMPABlue 1 highlighted that fish stocks are healthier, fishermen incomes are higher and the social acceptance of management practices is promoted (so overall a successful management of SSF is reached) if a set of elements is present in a MPA (e.g. high MPA enforcement, presence of a management plan, high fishermen engagement in MPA management, fishermen representative in the MPA board, and promotion of sustainable fishing).
The aims of FishMPABlue 2 projects are:
- to test the governance toolkit (i.e. by implementing these elements or increasing their level) through multiple Pilot Actions in selected MPAs
- to assess and quantify its effectiveness in achieving expected results in terms of MPA ecological effectiveness, benefits delivered to SSF and social acceptance of management measures by stakeholders.
Position summary:
Working closely with the project and laboratory team members, the role of the recruited scientist will involve (but it will be not limited to) the following:
- treatment of social data (mainly from questionnaires administered to MPA managers and small scale fishermen)
- collaboration in writing project reports and scientific papers
The activities will include a visit to Ecomers lab in 2019 (dates and duration will be agreed later), during which discuss the status of the work
Qualifications and experience required:
PhD in social science or related fields.
Minimum 4 years’ experience working in marine conservation and conservation social science.
Considerable publication track record (international scientific papers) in human dimension and conservation social science.
Duration of the contract and remuneration:
The contract will run for a duration of 8 months. The remuneration will be in the form of a lump sum of 21.000 euro (50% advance payment, 25 after 4 months and 25% on completion)
How to apply:
A Curriculum Vitae and letter of application, summarizing experience and skill set applicable to the position should be emailed to paolo.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . All correspondence for this position should quote reference FishMPABlue2_LivAcc/Dec 2018.
Closing date for applications:
All applications for this position should be received in advance of 5pm on 18th December 2018. Please note that late applications will not be accepted. Selected candidate will be hopefully notified on 20th December 2017.