Leuphana University Lüneburg (foundation under public law), Faculty of Sustainability invites expressions of interest for 8 new PhD positions within a new, trans-disciplinary project funded by the State of Lower Saxony and Volkswagen Foundation entitled: Leverage Points for Sustainability Transformation: Institutions, People and Knowledge About the project Understanding how changes in interconnected social-ecological systems facilitate the transformation to sustainability represents one of the key challenges of sustainability science. Drawing on insights from systems thinking and solution-oriented transdisciplinary research, this project will focus on hitherto under-recognized leverage points – system properties where a small shift can lead to fundamental changes in [...]

MSc/MPhil specialising in Climate Change and Sustainable Development Convened by the African Climate & Development Initiative Global climate change presents daunting and exciting challenges, especially for the developing world, where traditional routes to development are at odds with the need for a low carbon economy. At the same time, building resilience to climate change and variability is fundamental to sustainable development and prosperity. A transdisciplinary approach that integrates the biophysical, technological, socio-economic sciences and the humanities is required to successfully engage with the challenges of climate change. South Africa is well positioned to engage with these issues because of its status as a developing country [...]

PHD STUDENTSHIP Title: Evaluating commercial cattle production as a resilient livelihood option for emergent smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Agrarian reform in South Africa faces serious challenges, many a legacy of historical policies of separate development.  Amongst these is the task of reforming a livestock production sector in which commercial production is undertaken almost exclusively by white farmers on private farms that occupy the majority of agricultural land, but exists in parallel with a relatively neglected subsistence livestock sector consisting of black smallholder farmers located on pockets of communally owned land.  Land reform policies are currently addressing [...]

Post Doctoral Fellowship at University of KwaZulu-Natal Centre for Water Resources Research ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE   Scholarship description: Land, soil and water resources and the production of goods and services upon which society depends are intimately linked. However, rapid and extensive changes in land use and cover are resulting in the degradation of soil and water resources. Sustaining a catchment’s ability to generate benefits depends on recognition of the key processes, the linkages between different components, understanding their structure and function, and the spatial and temporal scales at which these are dominant or dormant, as [...]

Achieving global food security whilst reconciling demands on the environment is the greatest challenge faced by mankind. By 2050 at least 9 billion people will need food, and increasing incomes and urbanization will inevitably lead to dietary change. The food security challenge will increasingly encompass the triple burden of malnutrition – undernutrition, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies. The urgency of the issues has led to huge scientific strides forwards, making it difficult to keep up with the rapidly expanding volume of scientific research. The Second International Conference on Global Food Security therefore aims to deliver state-of-the-art analysis, inspiring visions and innovative [...]

Application Deadline: 10 May 2015 INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE Group is seeking a pro-active and self-motivated individual for the position of Project Development & Research Officer to be based in our Cape Town office.  The role is to work within our global philanthropy and project development team, undertaking research for climate-related projects and funding opportunities and project development tasks as directed.   Further details including a Job Description for the position can be found at: https://www.intasave.org/documents/PDF/Vacancies/Project-Development-Research-Officer_JD_SA_PDRO-10-05-15.pdf  

Future Earth is seeking Research Liaison Officers for its globally distributed Secretariat. Locations Boulder (USA), Montreal (Canada), Paris (France), Stockholm (Sweden) and Tokyo (Japan). Closing date Variable across hub locations: Paris (France): To be confirmed Montreal (Canada): To be confirmed Stockholm (Sweden): May 10, 2015 Boulder (USA): To be confirmed Tokyo (Japan): To be confirmed Start date will be as soon as practical upon selection of a candidate. The Future Earth initiative Future Earth is the global research platform providing the knowledge and support to accelerate our transformations to a sustainable world. It emerges out of a prestigious 30 year [...]

Massively Open Online Courses, or MOOCs, are becoming an increasingly popular way for students to enhance their learning experience. Whether you do them just for fun, or for university credits, the online format allows flexibility and independence on the part of the student: Too much other stuff going on today? That's fine, catch up with lectures tomorrow. Didn't understand that last section? Also fine, just re-do it at your leisure and ask questions in the online forum! Want to delve deeper into the subject matter? Great! Use the online course materials that have been made available to you (often for free [...]

Applications are invited for the post of Graduate Intern for the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI). The ACDI is a strategic initiative at UCT that coordinates and enhances research and teaching on climate and climate change across departments and faculties. The main role of the Graduate Intern will be to work on a range of projects and activities in support of ACDI core staff and researchers, including research assistance, organisation of ACDI events and database maintenance. This is a full-time one-year contract position.   Deadline: 22 April 2015   Minimum requirements: • A minimum of an undergraduate degree in a [...]

Systems Thinking and Practice in PhD Research: Cybersystemic Possibilities for Governing the Anthropocene 30 July – 7 August 2015, Germany • Two days of participation in a Systemic Inquiry in Hannover (Herrenhausen) on “Governing the Anthropocene: Cybersystemic Possibilities?" • Two days of dedicated ‘workshops’ introducing different systems approaches, methods and research traditions at Humboldt University in Berlin • Five days of participation in the 2015 ISSS Conference in Berlin, including a group generated presentation on the final day • 5 ECTS - points Working strategically to negotiate boundaries for research in a meaningful way in the areas of contemporary concern [...]