The interdependence of social, political, and environmental factors has become a critical focus area in environmental (non-)migration research. Such research has also engaged questions on the influence of these factors on the form of migration (e.g. seasonal, permanent) and its social and economic consequences (e.g. remittance-fueled investments). Although these foci have generated substantial insight, one shortcoming remains with regard to environmental (non-)migration scholarship – namely, its temporality. Specifically, much work is cross-sectional or operates within a short analytical window. Today’s migration-environment connections are likely informed by much longer-term historical processes. How such longer-term processes of environmental non-migration have evolved through generations living at risk is not well-studied. This Ph.D. project explains how and to what extent environmental changes (by slow and rapid-onset hazards) analyse the livelihood patterns of people at risk in response to social and ecological conditions, and how the livelihood patterns differ intergenerationally, geospatially in the GBM delta region. 
This PhD project involves developing innovative methodological tools that combine socio-spatial and environmental datasets, conducting mix-methods (qualitative, quantitative, and geolocated) fieldwork in Bangladesh and West Bengal, and analyzing this data. Besides, the Ph.D. student will collaborate with the research project “Bangladesh Environmental Migration Studies – BEMS’ of Environmental Studies Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, USA.  This is an exciting opportunity to join an interdisciplinary research team working on innovative approaches to understanding the intergenerational perspectives of environmental non-migration research in India and Bangladesh.

The Ph.D. researcher will:

• together with other researchers, develop socio-geo-mixed-methods (quantitative, qualitative, spatial) and liaise with non-governmental organizations, community groups, and research institutes with whom research will be conducted;
• carry out data collection through go-along interviews, focus groups and observations, and household surveys in remote rural coastal villages of Bangladesh and India;
• analyse quantitative, qualitative, and spatial data and collaborate with other researchers;
• preferred skills for the position include a background in R programming/ Statistical modeling, GIS and remote sensing, experience working with large data sets (both quantitative and qualitative), and the ability to work creatively and independently;
• take a leading role in the conceptual and methodological innovations required by the project, collaborating with the other researchers of the team;
• write and co-author academic publications together with other members of the team (Minimum of one paper per year as lead author);
• assist in the grant application.

We are looking for candidates who have:

• a Masters (with thesis) in International Development Studies, Geography, Environmental Sciences, Urban Planning, and Anthropology, Sociology, or a related field;
• experience conducting both quantitative and qualitative interviews and ethnographic field work in developing countries, preferably in Bangladesh and India;
• experience in remote-sensing and geographic information system (GIS) data analysis;
• experience in working in multi-disciplinary and multicultural research teams;
• experience with organizing workshops and stakeholder meetings;
• excellent written and spoken command of English, as demonstrated by an excellent master thesis, publications in English-language journals (desirable), and presentations at international conferences;
• a willingness to contribute proactively to the development of the project;
• good organizational skills;
• knowledge of Bangla is essential.

You will be offered a temporary position (1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The gross salary ranges between €2,443 per month in the first year and €3,122 per month in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) for full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

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