PhD Position: Climate Change and Cooperation in Asia, 1945 to the Present Utrecht University in Netherlands

This PhD position at Utrecht University investigates the historical roots and dynamics of cooperation in rural Asian societies as an adaptation tool to climate change, spanning from 1945 to the present. Hosted by the Faculty of Humanities, Department of History and Art History, the project is part of the SOCION consortium, which addresses social cohesion and fragmentation in societies. The research innovatively combines empirical methods from history and social psychology to analyze how rural communities respond to climate risks, particularly in agriculture.

Since the post-WWII period, rural Asia has experienced dramatic transformations due to new agricultural technologies, which increased productivity and incomes but also reshaped economic, political, and social power structures. These changes exposed farmers to new climate risks, influencing patterns of cooperation and conflict. The project focuses on local processes, tracing when and why cooperation breaks down or endures, and assessing the consequences for sustainable development. Comparative and longitudinal archival research at the household or village level will be conducted to understand how local conditions and cooperative behavior evolve across regions and countries.

Applicants should have a MA/MSc degree in economic history, interest and ideally some familiarity with social psychology, and a strong motivation for interdisciplinary research. Experience with historical sources and quantitative or qualitative methods is desirable. Professional competence in English is required. The position offers a full-time contract (36–40 hours per week) for 18 months, extendable to four years upon successful assessment, with the intent to complete a doctorate. The salary ranges from €3,059 to €3,881 per month, plus holiday pay, year-end bonus, pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment terms. Utrecht University provides additional benefits for professional development, sports, and cultural activities, and supports diversity and inclusion in its working environment.

The application deadline is 1 April 2026. Candidates should submit a CV, motivation letter, and writing sample via the university's online application portal. Two rounds of interviews are planned, with the first round on-site in Utrecht and the second round online. For further information, contact Dr Elise van Nederveen Meerkerk at [email protected].

For more details about the SOCION consortium and the research context, visit SOCION research. The official application page is here.