PRR Project

Summary

NOVA FCSH seeks to expand its academic staff by recruiting an Assistant Researcher in Environmental Anthropology with expertise in sustainability and climate change. The selected candidate will develop his/her research agenda as an active member of NOVA FCSH and IN2PAST - Associate Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability and Territory, a consortium formed by seven research units (CESEM, CHAIA, CRIA, HERCULES, IHA, IHC and LAB2PT - based at NOVA FCSH, University of Évora, University of Minho, ISCTE and University of Coimbra) and of Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA).This profile articulates socio-cultural anthropology with issues of environment and sustainability.  These themes respond to pressing questions of environmental governance in the Anthropocene that need to be addressed by anthropology, particularly the analysis of local and plural responses to contemporary environmental challenges.Furthermore, this scientific profile illustrates how anthropology and anthropologists are able to address the main issues of contemporary worlds, including perspectives on energetic transition, economy and politics. This position will actively contribute to the further development of NOVA FCSH´s ´Territories and Sustainable Environments’ strategic line, one of the five key areas that will support NOVA FCSH´s educational and research mission until 2030, while also adding value to the teaching practices and curricula offered at NOVA FCSH, in which CRIA and IN2Past are involved.The research areas developed at IN2PAST and CRIA are strongly oriented towards understanding and addressing contemporary societal challenges through rigorous research, community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. This position will actively contribute to the further development of NOVA FCSH´s ´Territories and Sustainable Environments’ strategic line, one of the five key areas that will support NOVA FCSH´s educational and research mission until 2030, while also adding value to the teaching and research practices offered at NOVA FCSH, in particularly by the Department of Anthropology and CRIA which both had established Environmental Anthropology and Sustentability as a differentiating areas in their Strategic Development Plans (2022-2030).Recruiting of an Assistant Researcher in Environmental Anthropology will allow to (1) strengthen the research developed under the NOVA FCSH strategic line on ´Territories and Sustainable Environments´, which is also align with the strategic priorities of CRIA (2025-2029) and  IN2PASTt (2021-2025); (2) support on the achieving international recognition in this field and establishing it further as a reference both at the national and international level; and (3) contribute to teaching and mentoring.The researcher should be actively engaged in addressing pressing societal issues and have a competitive track record that demonstrates his/her ability to work effectively with diverse communities and fora. Excellent communication skills, in particular in English and Portuguese (both written and oral), are essential, as is the ability to work with stakeholders from different sectors. This profile will actively develop efforts to establish meaningful collaborations with academic and non-academic institutions, laying the groundwork for future partnerships and community engagement, thereby contributing to the resolution of pressing contemporary issues by informing public policies.The main responsibilities of the researcher to fulfil NOVAFCSH´s aim of consolidating the field of Environmental Anthropology are to:- Design and conduct ethnographic research to explore and understand complex societal issues that comes up on environment crisis, energy transition and climate futures; - Develop and submit applications for competitive research funding; - Engage with communities and stakeholders to build relationships, gain insight and facilitate dialogue on key issues, using widely established NOVA FCSH and CRIA protocols (local, regional, national and international); - Collaborate and create new interdisciplinary teams within and outside CRIA NOVA FCSH and IN2PAST to develop innovative solutions and interventions that address societal challenges; - Communicate research findings through various channels, including international peer-reviewed academic journals, reports, presentations and public events; - Teaching and training of postgraduate students; - Supervising postgraduate students by providing mentoring and advice; - Create and design new courses on emerging trends and developments in the field of Environmental Anthropology, thereby contributing to the advancement of the discipline through research and leadership.