Vacancies

Postdoc Political Science/Policy Studies

Hours per week: 38
Appointment: 2 years, Fulltime
Application Deadline: 30 June 2023


Through the Island(er)s at the Helm research program, USM in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences (KNAW) and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV) are receiving applications for a 2-year full-time Postdoc appointment in the field of Political Science/Policy Studies, specializing in climate change adaptability. Candidates should possess a Ph.D. degree in a relevant field or attain their doctoral degree by July 2023. The successful candidate is expected to begin in September 2023.

About the project/Work package
Driven by the increasing public awareness of the impact of hurricanes and the devastation of coastal areas, Island(er)s at the Helm contributes to understanding the current ways the islanders cope with these challenges and based upon these research findings, seeks to contribute to equipping (Dutch) Caribbean societies with proficient tools for confronting these challenging climatic phenomena.

Such aforementioned adverse events—hurricanes and the devastation of coastal areas—have significant ecological, social, and cultural implications, affecting the basic living conditions and heritage of the island inhabitants. This research builds on the principle that local-specific practices and ontologies of Caribbean societies are crucial for promoting sustainable Water, Food, and Shelter-nexuses. The project brings together researchers and societal partners to employ a mixture of technical, traditional, and contemporary knowledge practices for studying climate change adaptation.

Job Profile
The Postdoc position will be reserved for a scholar in political science or policy studies who has an affinity with the research program and is familiar with the Dutch Caribbean. Serving fulltime for two years starting in September in 2023, the postdoc will be based and employed by the University of St. Martin (USM) closely collaborating with the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), while conducting research-related visits to other countries and territories of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

Based upon their research findings, the Postdoc working directly with the PhD researcher and PL, will contribute to developing a co-creative approach that will encourage and advance a transformative policy roadmap enabling the island(er)s to improve their social adaptability to climate change challenges. This will be done by organising inter-island focus groups consisting of government organisations (GOs), non-government organisation (NGOs) and grassroots organisations in St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, and Saba in order to establish guiding conceptual frameworks and identify best practices supporting climate policy development in relation to island specific Water Food Shelter (WFS) nexuses. Special attention should be given to the challenges that the varying land policy regimes may pose to (collective) social adaptation to climate change. An inquiry into best practices in the wider Dutch Kingdom and neighboring islands should also be taken into consideration.

The applicant:
• Has research experience in the field of political science, political anthropology, political sociology, or policy studies in the Caribbean;
• Has successfully completed a PhD thesis in one of these fields no later than July 2023;
• Is able to communicate fluently in English, and read Dutch;
• Is recommended to have a working knowledge of Papiamento, Spanish and/or French;
• Preferably has experience working in a multi-disciplinary team and has affinity with trans-disciplinary approaches and/or new research methods.


Inquiries
For additional information you may contact the Program Chair of the project, Dr. Francio Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe[at]kitlv.nl), and the President of USM, Prof. Dr. Antonio Carmona-Baéz via President[at]usm.sx.

Application
Candidates are invited to submit their application via the KNAW website https://vacatures.knaw.nl/job/Philipsburg%2C-St-Martin-Postdoc-Political-Science-Policy-Studies-at-University-of-Sint-Maarten/941906755/ by 30 June 2023.
You can address the application to the Program Chair, Dr. F.E. Guadeloupe (do not email him your application). Applications must include, in a single PDF file:

• A cover letter.
• A two-page research proposal.
• A full curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation.


Conditions of Employment
Appointment will be according to the terms of the Collective Labor Agreement of Sint Maarten. We offer a full time position for two years starting September 2023, with a probation period of two months. Due to the end date of the project, an extension is not possible. The gross monthly salary will be in accordance with the standard of the Collective Labor Agreement of Dutch Universities (scale 10, step 4) € 3,557.00 with a maximum to € 3,839.00 depending on experience, with the addition of emoluments. USM offers an attractive benefits package with 15 days of paid holiday and social insurances.

Employer
Founded in 1989, the University of St. Martin (USM) (usm.sx) is an autonomous, publicly-funded university of higher learning and research, whose mission is to place the arts and sciences at the service of the binational community of St. Martin and neighboring islands for their sustainable socio-economic and cultural development. USM is governed by the University of St. Maarten Foundation Board; located at Soualiga Boulevard #1, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.
In partnership with the University of the US Virgin Islands, the USM offers quality career and academic degree programs in the General Liberal Arts, Education, Business and Hospitality and Social Work. The University is also committed to the continuous development of scientific research programs geared towards improving the quality of life for the people of St. Martin, the Caribbean region, and the world at large.

Diversity & Inclusion
USM, KITLV and KNAW uphold a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace diversity. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.