PhD Candidate in the research project 'Entangled with Seaweed'
A 4-year PhD position investigating the socio-political impacts of seaweed economization in South Africa.
Best for:Best for social science researchers with strong ethnographic fieldwork experience and an interest in environmental justice.
Overview
Leiden University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology invites applications for a PhD candidate to join the 'Entangled with Seaweed' project. This research explores the 'blue economy' strategies in South Africa, specifically focusing on how seaweed economization affects coastal communities against the backdrop of colonial and apartheid legacies. The successful candidate will conduct twelve months of ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa and contribute to academic and non-academic outputs. You will work within an international team, collaborating with partners at Stellenbosch University and the University of Edinburgh.
What you'll do
- Develop a comprehensive research proposal aligned with the project's objectives.
- Conduct twelve months of ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa, including interviews and participant observation.
- Apply participatory visual storytelling and policy analysis methods to research findings.
- Write a dissertation contributing to the project's goals.
- Collaborate with team members on academic publications, science communication, and workshops.
- Participate in PhD training programmes at both Leiden University and Stellenbosch University.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Humanities, or a related social science/humanities discipline.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English (excellent oral and written proficiency).
Instruction: English
- Excellent qualitative research skills.
- Proven experience with ethnographic fieldwork.
- Strong command of the English language.
- Ability to work independently and within an international team.
- Strong social and organisational skills.
- Must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field.
- Must be able to conduct 12 months of fieldwork in South Africa.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-07
Submit your application via the university portal. Include a motivation letter, CV, academic transcripts, a research design summary, and contact details for two referees.
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Bachelor and Master degree transcripts
- Ethnographic research design summary
- Contact details of two referees
Contact
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