SUSPLACE is a Marie Curie Actions Initial Training Network funded by the European Commission that will kick-off October 1, 2015. SUSPLACE aims to train 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESR) in innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to study sustainable place-shaping practices. These 15 ESR positions at six universities are now open for application till October 1, 2015. See the list of the 15 individual research projects and host universities below. The SUSPLACE approach will provide insight into how to utilize the full potential of places and communities for development and help to build capacities of people to engage in place-shaping processes and thus strengthen connectivity [...]

Natural Resource Co-management Facilitator This fixed-term contract position has opened at the Association of Water and Rural Development (AWARD), an NGO based in Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province. This position will form part of the AWARD team within the USAID RESILIM-Olifants program, the purpose being to reduce vulnerability through building improved transboundary governance and management of the Olifants Catchment so as to enhance the resilience of its people and ecosystems through systemic and social learning approaches.  The post is based at AWARD’s office in Hoedspruit. This is a middle to senior management post which includes administrative responsibilities Job Purpose: To contribute to [...]

Abstract submission is now open for Urban Transitions 2016 which will take place 5-9 September 2016 in Shanghai. Cities are incredibly vibrant centres of innovation, education, employment and commerce. Today, more than half of the world population lives in urban areas, and each week, the urban population increases globally by 1.3 million. As we become a mainly urban species, we have significant challenges and exciting opportunities ahead of us, as we try to transition towards a more: Economically competitive urban future Sustainable and resilient urban future Equitable and inclusive urban society Digitally supported urban future Contributions are welcome to each [...]

The Sustainability Research Unit (www.nmmu.ac.za/sru) at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University  (NMMU) has opportunities for post-graduate students at PhD and Master's level with a keen interest in transdisciplinary research at the interface between society, ecosystems and sustainability in the Garden Route. Examples of topics include: risk, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change;  incentives and motivations for ecosystem stewardship; collaborative management of watersheds; conceptualizing and modelling human-nature relationships; perceptions of ecosystem degradation and restoration; framings, mental models and mind-sets about nature; management decision making about natural resources, and especially the management of invasive species and / or water-linked ecosystems. Innovative proposals for [...]

ESPA (Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation) is seeking a dynamic and experienced specialist to support our global science and development programme. Leading in East and Southern African you’ll help ESPA build impact benefitting society, the environment and economy. You role will be to help connect to ESPA’s world-class research to create and influence change at all levels in this region. You will work with ESPA’s researchers and wider group of stakeholders influencing policy, and practice. You will be working as a key member of an international team at the forefront of research and development impact, connecting to and linking over [...]

Systems ranging from the brain and society to ecosystems and the climate can have tipping points where even minor perturbations can invoke a critical transition to a contrasting state. Mathematical theory suggests that the vicinity of a tipping point for such transitions may be inferred from generic features of fluctuations and spatial patterns. The PhD positions offered will elaborate this exciting new idea further, and search for ways to detect such early warning signals in data. The work will be done in close collaboration with our highly interdisciplinary community of collaborators including mathematicians, climate scientists, medical specialists, social scientists and [...]

VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT AMSTERDAM - NRF SOUTH AFRICA DESMOND TUTU DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS   Background The Desmond Tutu Doctoral Training Programme (DTTP) was established in honour of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s lifetime struggle against inequality and his quest for reconciliation. The National Research Foundation (NRF) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) entered into a partnership in 2009 to co-fund South African students carrying out doctoral studies in a Joint Degree (split-site) mode.   Aims of the DTTP The rationale of the DTTP is that VUA joins forces with its South African partners, to build human capital in [...]

Statistics South Africa is proud to announce that several high profile speakers have been lined up for the Annual ISIbalo symposium taking place at Stellenbosch University on 29 June 2015. They include Mr Jeff Radebe, Minister in the Presidency, Rector and Vice Chancellor of Stellenbosch university, Professor Wim de Villiers, Mr Pali Lehohla, Statistician General and member of UN Secretary General’s Independent Expert Advisory Group on Data revolution for Sustainable Development (IEAG), Professor Manie Geyer, Director of the Centre for Regional and Urban innovation and statistical exploration(CRUISE) and Professor Sabina Alkire, director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Institute [...]

The social-ecological systems laboratory of the Autonomous University of Madrid is offering a 4-year PhD position on ‘Assessing ecosystem services flows along rural-urban gradients: applicability to social-ecological landscape planning’. Details of the position are outlined in the following document: Call_PhD_Socialecological-systems-lab.pdf

PROFESSIONAL OFFICER ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Africa is expanding its multi-disciplinary professional team through offering exciting new opportunities to experienced practitioners and technical experts in the field of urban development and sustainability at Africa's Head Office in Cape Town. These professionals will provide advanced technical services and support to our growing network of cities, sub-national governments and local government associations across Africa. As part of our multi-disciplinary teams they will engage with national governments, international development partners, and the private sector and our other ICLEI officers around the world. Requirements: A degree (preferably BSc) or B.Tech in [...]