PRR Project

Summary

NOVA.FCSH seeks to expand its academic staff by appointing a Principal Researcher in Environmental Sustainability and Socio-ecological Systems, with particular expertise on interdisciplinary approaches to conservation and management of natural resources. The selected candidate will develop their research agenda as a CICS.NOVA CHAIR, and will contribute to the development of NOVA.FCSH strategic line on Sustainable Territories and Environment.Key responsibilities: 1. Design and conduct independent interdisciplinary research on topics related with: a) the interface of social and natural science for addressing sustainability challenges, with a focus on better understanding social dimensions of resources use to inform behaviour change initiatives; b) the application of tools from multiple disciplines to conservation and in developing novel techniques to achieve a better understanding of the dynamics of social-ecological systems. 2. Generate and disseminate high-quality research findings, including (but not exclusively) in international, peer-reviewed journals. 3. Contribute to a supportive and productive research community, namely by supporting the design and implementation of CICS.NOVA’s research strategy, as well as NOVA.FCSH strategic area of Sustainable Territories and Environment. 4. Design and submit applications for competitive research funding. 5. Actively develop efforts to establish meaningful collaborative work with academic and non-academic institutions, setting the ground for future partnerships and social engagement. 6. Develop and teach courses, including in their field of expertise, thus actively contributing to the renewal and ongoing improvement of curricula and educational practices at all levels. 7. Supervise post-graduate students, by providing mentoring and advice.Scientific Profile: 1. PhD degree in the area of Natural Sciences or Social Sciences. 2. Specific expertise on social dimensions of environmental sciences, as well as sound knowledge of interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies to conservation and management of natural resources. 3. Recognized experience in the design and implementation of research projects, including projects with competitive and external funding. 4. Relevant experience in team coordination, in the context of research projects and/or managerial responsibilities. 5. Outstanding research qualities demonstrated through an established track record of relevant publications, including peer-reviewed, international journals, books and other relevant outlets. 6. Proven experience in interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary teams, either as project leader and/or team member. 7. Active member of relevant networks (academic and non-academic) in the research topics covered. 8. Strong focus on societal engagement and knowledge exchange with relevant stakeholders and society in general. 9. Experience in teaching and supervision, at Master and PhD level in particular, and evidence of strong commitment to innovative pedagogical approaches, from a research-led teaching approach.Rationale: The recruitment of a Principal Researcher in Environmental Sustainability and Socio-ecological Systems, with a specialization and soundtrack-record on interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies to conservation and management of natural resources, is scientifically relevant for both CICS.NOVA and NOVA.FCSH. Interdisciplinary studies on sustainability and socio-ecological systems have shown that it is critical the interface of social and natural science for addressing sustainability challenges. Research on these topics remains an underexplored area. Recruiting a Principal Researcher with an interdisciplinary scientific trajectory in this field would allow to (1) strengthen the research developed under the emerging research area Sustainability and Socio-ecological Systems, relevant to current and future CICS.NOVA’s research strategy, by adding complementary expertise to the current group and enhance the research outputs; (2) support the CICS.NOVA’s in achieving international recognition in its field and establishing it further as a reference both at the national and international level; and (3) contribute to teaching and mentoring at the post-graduate level, thus shaping a new generation of young researchers at CICS.NOVA. This position is also crucial to further develop NOVA.FCSH Sustainable Territories and Environment strategic line, one of the five strategic areas that will support NOVA.FCSH educational and research mission until 2030. This strategic line stands the centrality of knowledge production to contribute to the definition/development of population and territorial policies, with a particular regard to ecological balance considering the challenges facing ecosystems. The recruitment of a Principal Researcher with this profile is also an add value to teaching practices and the curricula offered at NOVA.FCSH, specifically, at post-graduate levels.