Ph.D. position in Economic Geography

 

The successful applicant will contribute to the research project «Making herbicide markets: Interactions between production restructuring, agriculture and environment in Latin America and Asia» funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and directed by Christian Berndt (Zurich) and Marion Werner (Buffalo). The project engages with the rapidly restructuring global agrochemical industry. The overall objective is to analyze chemical herbicides as specific drivers of economic and ecological change by interrogating the transformative role of new emerging-market generic production networks in relation to farming practices and environmental effects in Latin America. The specific aims are (1) to understand how herbicide markets are being made in light of chemical dependence on key pesticide compounds, waning effectiveness, and environmental feedback loops; (2) to place these environmental challenges in the context of global production networks for key synthetic herbicides, with emphasis on upstream production in Asia and relations between Latin America and Asia; and (3) to study selected global South herbicide “assemblages” in-depth, focusing on how “last mile” distribution and agricultural use reflects and reshapes environmental challenges and economic strategies in Latin America.

What we offer

You will be part of the Economic Geography research group at the Department of Geography, University of Zurich and join a dynamic, interdisciplinary international research network. We offer a stimulating and exciting work environment that provides plenty of opportunities to develop an academic career. Members of our research group profit from international contacts and opportunities to attend conferences and workshops.
The position is for three years with possibilities for extension. The salary is commensurate with the regulations of the Swiss National Science Foundation. Funding for project-related fieldwork is available.

Your profile

Your main tasks include designing and realizing your own Ph.D. dissertation within the project, contributing to our teaching program and participating in our regular research-related activities. Applicants should have ambitions to be recognized internationally (publications, conferences). They are expected to hold an excellent master's degree in human geography or any other relevant social science discipline, be proficient in English and able to conduct qualitative empirical research (i.e., interviews) in China and/or India. Chinese language skills (Mandarin) are an advantage for the application.

Starting date is 01 September 2022.

Apply

For further questions with respect to the position, please contact Christian Berndt