SNSF research associate/ postdoc in indigenous/community-led bioeconomies in the Amazon (m/w/d)
Your tasks
- Lead and co-design research on Indigenous bioeconomy models in the Brazilian Amazon, with particular focus on traditional and forest-based production systems, food-water-land security, and climate resilience
- Conduct fieldwork and community-engaged research (minimum 4 months), preferably with Indigenous and local communities in Pará or neighboring Amazonian regions.
- Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data, including traditional ecological knowledge, to generate policy-relevant research outputs.
- Contribute to publications in high-impact academic venues and contribute to policy briefs and stakeholder dialogues.
- Present findings at international conferences and workshops.
- Support grant writing and project engagement with global research partners.
Your profile
- PhD in Environmental Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Human Geography, Political Ecology, Development Studies, Agroecology, or related fields.
- Extensive fieldwork experience in the Brazilian Amazon, preferably in Pará.
- Proven expertise in bioeconomy, agroforestry, rural development, or socio-environmental governance.
- Strong experience with participatory and community-engaged research methods.
- Publication record or demonstrated research impact.
- Fluency in spoken and written English and Brazilian Portuguese.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to collaborative international projects
Preferred:
- Prior work with Indigenous Peoples and Ribeirinho communities.
- Experience engaging with public policies, territorial governance, or development programs in the Amazon.
- Academic and professional networks in Pará and the wider Amazon region.
- Experience bridging academia, policy, and community practice.
What we offer:
- One-year postdoc/researcher position within a stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment at a leading European university.
- Close collaboration with an internationally connected research group.
- Support for international mobility and field research.
- Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with SNSF and University of St. Gallen regulations.
- Strong support for publication, dissemination, and policy engagement.
- For questions, please contact vanessa.boanada@unisg.ch and felix.hotz@student.unisg.ch.
Please apply via the website by uploading your CV, list of publications, a short (2-page) research statement, and two contacts for references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Inspirational Work Environment
Executive Education
Network
Family & Career
Equal Opportunities
Fit and Healthy
Inspirational Work Environment
At the HSG, as Europe's leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts - both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.
Executive Education
We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.
Network
We promote our culture of cross-functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships - also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long-lasting.
Family & Career
We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part-time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.
Equal Opportunities
The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.
Fit and Healthy
We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals - from vegetarian to fish dishes - at discounted prices.
Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.
For job-related questions
Join us in working side-by-side with Indigenous scholars and leaders from around the world to study indigenous-led contributions to water-food/land and energy security in the face of Green Colonialism
We are a group of students, researchers, and professors with different backgrounds and in different stages of our careers. We work closely together and support each other to maximize our collective impact
Your place of work
University of St.Gallen
«A place where knowledge is created» - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'500 researchers, educators and professional staff.
