The Biodiversity Governance Unit of the Centre for Philosophy of Law (CPDR) (at the Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium) is looking for 2 postdoctoral research fellows and 1 PhD research fellow in one of the following areas:
- Political economy of global commons and global public goods (in particular genetic resources, natural resources, or digital information commons)
- Global governance
- Science and technology policy studies
- International Law (Intellectual property, Access and Benefit Sharing Regime)
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The CPDR is an interdisciplinary research centre among one of the top research departments in Europe working on governance issues. For the last 15 years,
it has been awarded a number of major European research grants, which have been evaluated as top rank projects by external reviewers. With researchers in the fields of law, political sciences, economics and philosophy it offers a vibrant and stimulating interdisciplinary research environment (more information at www.uclouvain.be/en-cpdr.html).
The researchers will work in the Biodiversity Governance Unit of the CPDR under the supervision of prof. Tom Dedeurwaerdere, in one of the following research projects, depending on their qualifications and interest:
- BIOMOT (Motivational strength of ecosystem services and alternative ways to express the value of Biodiversity) (FP7-ENV-2011). The task under this project is to establish, through a large-scale survey, which (economic and alternative) ways expressing the value of biodiversity have been at work in cases of successful projects, regulations and policies for biodiversity conservation, both at the global, the EU, the
national and local scales. - MICRO B3 (Marine Microbial Biodiversity, Bioinformatics and Biotechnology): Work Package on Intellectual Property Management for Marine Bioprospecting (FP7-OCEAN2011-2). The task under this project is to analyse and review intellectual property strategies for building global knowledge commons in life science research.
- GENCOMMONS (Institutionalizing global genetic-resource commons) (grant application still pending). The task under this project is to conduct a large-scale comparative institutional assessment of governance arrangements for managing genetic resource commons, with a special focus on plant, animal and microbial genetic resources used in food and agriculture.
JOB DESCRIPTION: The positions are strongly research oriented with very limited organizational duties and no teaching obligations. We offer a competitive remuneration package (including a monthly allowance, social security and insurance expenses) and generous funding of research related activities (participation to conferences and research missions in selected developed and developing countries). The fellowships are
granted for 12 to 24 months.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS: For the postdoctoral positions: a PhD in Political Science, Law or Economics. Postdoctoral applicants are expected to develop a strong research record aiming at publications in international journals. Excellent English language skills are required. Postdoctoral applicants should also send a copy (in pdf) of 2 publications with their application.
For the PhD fellowship: a Master level or equivalent university degree in Political Science, Law or Economics. PhD applicants are expected to show evidence of a top level academic record. Excellent English language
skills are required. Doctoral applicants are encouraged to send a copy of their Master thesis or of 1 publication.
PROCEDURE: Application form at biogov.uclouvain.be/application.
Applications can be sent electronically from the 1st of July 2011, but no later than 15th of September 2011.