The role

Applications are invited for a position of Postdoctoral Research Associate with expertise in GIS, preferably combined with knowledge of social science/human geography methodologies. The post is a PDRA position as part of a UKRI funded (ERC selected) project on small-scale extraction in Amazonia entitled “INFRACURSIONS: Deregulated Infrastructures of Extraction in Rainforest Frontiers” led by Dr Amy Penfield in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Bristol. The objective for this role is to map out the emergence of small-scale extraction in Amazon deforestation hotspots using remote sensing and other land-use datasets, with the potential to supplement with data collection in South America and policy research.

What will you be doing?

The PDRA will work closely with a team of ethnographers who will be collecting long-term ethnographic data on the social, legal and technical dimensions of small-scale extraction in Amazonia. The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for consolidating, analysing and presenting GIS data visualisations relevant to the project aims and designing ground-level citizen science data collection to test or supplement claims. You will work closely alongside the PI and a team of anthropologists/ethnographers, as well as advisory board members and academic/non-academic partners in South America. The post is offered on a full-time fixed term basis for 3 years.

You should apply if

You will have a PhD in a relevant discipline that provides knowledge/training in GIS (geography, biology, etc.) but some knowledge or training in a social science methodologies is desirable (e.g. sociology, human geography, etc.). You will have excellent organisational, communication and presentation skills. You should demonstrate that you can engage in interdisciplinary collaborative work. This role will require travel to South America to undertake data collection and to engage with collaborating partners. Preference will be given to candidates who have previously worked on topics relating to South American policy/politics, environmental issues and/or extraction, and who have language skills in Spanish and/or Portuguese.