PhD in Fisheries, Gender and Formalisation in West African Coastal Communities University of Bern in Switzerland

University of Bern is recruiting a fully funded PhD student for a project on women's work, gender, and formalisation in fisheries in West Africa.

The PhD is based at the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) and is part of the SNSF-funded project SIRENA (Social and ecological responsibility through regulatory governance: Navigating formalisation in West African fisheries).

The project examines how regulatory interventions and formalisation processes shape fishing livelihoods, labour conditions, fish stocks, and especially the experiences of women working in post-harvesting links of fish value chains. The successful candidate will conduct a PhD in Geography and Sustainable Development and carry out qualitative, multi-sited field research in Ghana, Senegal, and The Gambia.

Research topics include women's roles as fishmongers, processors, and regional traders; gendered effects of fisheries formalisation; livelihood transformations; agency; access to fish; and equitable fisheries governance. The work involves collaboration with the PI, an advanced postdoc, and local partners, plus participation in publications, workshops, fieldwork coordination, and communication activities.

Eligibility highlights: a Master's degree in Human Geography, Anthropology, Development Studies, Sustainability Transformations, or a related discipline; applicants from Marine or Fisheries Science are welcome if they have strong qualitative research competence and interest in social science questions. Strong qualitative/ethnographic methods, excellent English, fluent spoken French, and fieldwork readiness are important. Wolof and other local languages are an asset.

Funding: fully funded position with an annual gross salary of CHF 50,042 in 2026 for full-time employment, including the 13th month salary. Duration is 4 years.

Deadline: 3 July 2026. Interviews are scheduled for 4/5/10 August 2026. Start date: 1 January 2027.

How to apply: email a single PDF containing motivation letter, CV, certificates, and two referees' contact details to [email protected], and send your Master's thesis (or equivalent) as a separate PDF.