The Conservation and Development Lab at the Geography Department, Humboldt University of Berlin, is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on understanding power dynamics within conservation movements. The successful candidate will join the interdisciplinary POWERSHIFT project, which investigates how power operates in biodiversity conservation and how addressing power imbalances can lead to more just, effective, and sustainable governance. The project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under the Biodiversa+ Joint Research Call and involves collaboration with leading researchers from INRAE (France), University of Vienna (Austria), Stockholm University (Sweden), and the Istituto di Ecologia Applicata (Italy).

The research will explore social-ecological systems, environmental governance, and the intersection of biodiversity conservation and human well-being. The PhD candidate will primarily work on understanding how power dynamics operate within and across local interventions, organizations, and collaborative conservation networks, and how these dynamics shape social-ecological outcomes. There will also be opportunities to investigate how power-sensitive strategies can be adapted to policy contexts and scaled through cross-sectoral collaborations.

The position includes travel to field sites (notably in arid mountain ecosystems) and research visits to consortium partner institutions. The candidate will engage with policy-makers, participate in transdisciplinary workshops, and contribute to both academic and practice-oriented outputs. The lab’s research is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on sociology, ecology, philosophy, geography, and institutional economics, and employs both qualitative and mixed methods.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental or sustainability social science, human geography, political ecology, conservation science, sociology, political science, or interdisciplinary environmental studies with strong social-science components). Required skills include experience with qualitative social research methods, strong analytical and writing skills, willingness to conduct fieldwork, and excellent English communication. Experience with policy engagement, transdisciplinary work, and knowledge of German, Russian, or Kyrgyz are desirable. Applications from women and individuals from snow leopard range countries are especially encouraged.

The position is funded for three years at 65% TV-L E13 (German public sector pay scale), with travel and research visits covered. Humboldt University of Berlin is a top-ranking institution with a vibrant academic environment and strong links to research institutes in Berlin and the Berlin-Brandenburg area.

To apply, prepare a motivation letter (max 2 pages), CV, a writing sample (e.g., Master’s thesis, article, or report), and contact details of two referees. Combine all documents into a single PDF and email to Ms. Barbara Richter ([email protected]) by 28 February 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Ranjini Murali ([email protected]).