Ranjini Murali

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]).

The Conservation and Development group at Humboldt University of Berlin is seeking a motivated PhD student to join the POWERSHIFT project, "Understanding and Shifting Power in Biodiversity Conservation by Integrating Insights from Social Change Movements." This interdisciplinary research opportunity is based in the Geography Department, a leading center for environmental and social science research in Germany. The project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under the Biodiversa+ Joint Research Call and involves collaboration with international partners from INRAE (France), University of Vienna (Austria), Stockholm University (Sweden), and the Istituto di Ecologia Applicata (Italy). The research focuses on power dynamics within conservation movements, examining how power imbalances affect biodiversity outcomes, justice, and governance. The PhD candidate will primarily work on understanding how power operates in conservation initiatives and how strategies can be adapted to policy contexts for more equitable and effective governance. The project offers the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in arid mountain ecosystems, engage with policy-makers, and participate in transdisciplinary workshops. The candidate will have the flexibility to develop their own research focus within the project's framework. Applicants should have a Master's degree in a relevant field such as environmental or sustainability social science, human geography, political ecology, conservation science, sociology, political science, or interdisciplinary environmental studies with strong social-science components. Essential qualifications include demonstrated interest in power, justice, inequality, or governance in conservation contexts; training in qualitative social research methods; strong analytical and writing skills; willingness to conduct fieldwork; and proficiency in English. Experience with policy engagement, transdisciplinary work, workshop facilitation, or reflective practice, as well as knowledge of German, Russian, or Kyrgyz, are desirable but not mandatory. The position is funded for three years at 65% TV-L E13 (German public sector pay scale), with additional support for travel and research visits. Humboldt University of Berlin is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applications from women, individuals from snow leopard range countries, and persons with disabilities. The university offers a vibrant academic environment and is located in Berlin, a dynamic city with rich cultural life and excellent connectivity. To apply, candidates should submit a motivation letter (max. 2 pages), CV, a writing sample, and contact details of two referees as a single PDF to Ms. Barbara Richter ([email protected]) by 28 February 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Ranjini Murali ([email protected]). More details are available at https://hu.berlin/45146 .

The Geography Department at 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 international research project "Understanding and Shifting Power in Biodiversity Conservation by Integrating Insights from Social Change Movements" (POWERSHIFT), funded by the DFG under the Biodiversa+ Joint Research Call. The position is based at the Conservation and Development Lab and includes travel to field sites and research visits to partner institutions in Europe. The project is led by Prof. Dr. Ranjini Murali (Humboldt University of Berlin), Dr. Juliette Young (INRAE, France), Dr. Jacqueline Loos (University of Vienna), and Dr. Laura Pereira (Stockholm University). The research will address how power operates in biodiversity conservation at multiple scales and how tackling power imbalances can support more just, effective, and sustainable governance. Main objectives include understanding power dynamics in conservation interventions, exploring scenario-based visioning, investigating reflective practice, and testing power-sensitive strategies across contexts. The candidate will design and conduct an independent PhD project, engage with policy-makers, conduct fieldwork in arid mountain ecosystems, participate in transdisciplinary workshops, analyze qualitative and/or mixed-methods data, and publish in peer-reviewed journals. 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 training in qualitative social research methods, strong analytical and writing skills, willingness to conduct fieldwork, and excellent English proficiency. Experience with policy-makers, transdisciplinary work, and knowledge of German, Russian, or Kyrgyz are desirable. The position is funded at TV-L E13, 65% for 3 years. Applications from women, applicants from snow leopard range countries, and those with disabilities are especially encouraged. To apply, submit a motivation letter (max 2 pages), CV, a writing sample, and contact details of two referees as a single PDF to [email protected] by 28 February 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Ranjini Murali at [email protected].

The Conservation and Development Lab at the Geography Department of 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 research will be situated at the intersection of environmental science, human geography, sociology, and political science, with a strong emphasis on social-ecological systems, environmental justice, and governance structures. The project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under the Biodiversa+ Joint Research Call and is led by an international consortium including Dr. Juliette Young (INRAE, France), Dr. Jacqueline Loos (University of Vienna), Dr. Laura Pereira (Stockholm University), and Prof. Dr. Ranjini Murali (Humboldt University, Germany). The PhD candidate will primarily work on understanding how power dynamics operate within conservation initiatives and how power-sensitive strategies can be adapted to policy contexts. The position includes travel to field sites, research visits to partner institutions, and opportunities to engage with policy-makers and practitioners. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental or sustainability social science, human geography, political ecology, conservation science, sociology, or political science. Required skills include training in qualitative social research methods, strong analytical and writing abilities, and a demonstrated interest in power, justice, inequality, or governance in conservation contexts. Experience with policy engagement, transdisciplinary work, and knowledge of additional languages (German, Russian, or Kyrgyz) are desirable. The position is open to candidates from all backgrounds, with special encouragement for women and applicants from snow leopard range countries. The funding covers a 3-year contract at 65% TV-L E13, with salary, travel, and research expenses included. Humboldt University of Berlin is a leading institution in Germany, offering a vibrant academic environment and excellent research infrastructure. The application deadline is 28 February 2026. Interested candidates should submit a motivation letter, CV, writing sample, and contact details of two referees as a single PDF to Ms. Barbara Richter ([email protected]). For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Ranjini Murali ([email protected]). For more details, visit the Conservation and Development Lab’s website or the official opportunity page. This position is ideal for candidates passionate about conservation, social-ecological research, and transformative change in environmental governance.