Postdoc in Literary and Cultural Studies on Wetlands, Beaver, and Biodiversity Narratives Université de Fribourg in Switzerland

Postdoctoral position in literary and cultural studies at the Université de Fribourg within the SNF-funded project Promoting Biodiversity by Addressing Environmental Disvalue Narratives (NFP 82 – Biodiversität und Ökosystemleistungen).

The project explores how people respond to the negative or “disvalue” aspects of biodiversity, especially in wetlands, floodplains, and beaver-related conflicts. The broader transdisciplinary team includes researchers from the University of Zurich, the University of Lausanne, and WWF Switzerland. The project aims to develop narrative tools that support constructive discussions about biodiversity’s challenges and opportunities.

This specific postdoc sub-project, based at the Environmental Sciences and Humanities Institute at the Université de Fribourg, focuses on the negative cultural meanings of wetlands, floods, mosquitoes, the uncanny, and melancholic moods from a literary and cultural-historical perspective. The main textual focus is on German-language texts. The successful candidate will contribute to understanding how negative connotations of wetlands persist today and how these narratives can be addressed in public and interdisciplinary dialogue.

The post is an 80% position for three years. The announcement seeks applicants with experience in literary and cultural studies analysis and a strong interest in the interface between literature and environmental ethics. Motivation to work in an inter- and transdisciplinary setting and to help promote constructive dialogue around biodiversity is important.

No deadline, application portal, or email address is stated in the post. Project background and related information are linked in the announcement and on the SNF project page.