About Position/Job
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is offering an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the field of Rural Anthropology, Development Studies, Environmental Social Science, Political Ecology, and Human Geography. This position, funded under the María de Maeztu – MDM CEX2024-001506-M programme, is supervised by Esteve Corbera and is based at the Campus Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain. The role involves advanced research focused on rural development, pastoralism, and wildlife-human interactions, combining ethnographic fieldwork, qualitative methods, and interdisciplinary approaches. The researcher will engage with local communities, analyse social and environmental data, and contribute to publications and conferences. This post offers a unique opportunity to work within an internationally recognised research team, participate in fieldwork across European rural regions, and contribute to the department’s strategic goals in sustainable rural development and human-environment studies.
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Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
- Institution: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
- Department: Research Management/Strategic Projects
- Research field: Human Geography / Anthropology / Environmental Social Science
- Location: Cerdanyola del Vallès – Barcelona, Spain
- Number of posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Temporary, Postdoctoral
- Start Date (Anticipated): January 2026
- Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
- Salary Range: €36,600 gross per year
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research area
- Rural Anthropology
- Development Studies
- Environmental Social Science
- Political Ecology
- Human Geography
- Pastoralism and Wildlife Management
- Qualitative Fieldwork and Rural Ethnography
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Rural Anthropology, Development Studies, Environmental Social Science, Political Ecology, Human Geography, or closely related disciplines
- Experience in rural ethnography and qualitative fieldwork
- Excellent command of English (C1 or B2) and main fieldwork language (Spanish, Italian, French, German)
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Fieldwork experience in rural areas
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of data analysis software (Stata, R, or similar)
- Familiarity with organisations focused on rural development
- Command of Catalan language
- Experience with international or interdisciplinary research projects
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct fieldwork and collect qualitative data in rural settings
- Analyse and interpret data using appropriate methodologies
- Develop research protocols aligned with project objectives
- Publish findings in academic journals and present at conferences
- Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and productive research environment
Application Process
How to Apply:
Applicants must submit their application through the UAB platform: https://seleccio.uab.cat
Required Documents:
- ID
- CV
- Diplomas
- Cover letter (max 1 page) detailing qualifications and motivation
- Research proposal (max 2 pages, excluding references)
- Contact details of 3 referees
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 21 November 2025
- Deadline: 21 December 2025 – 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
- Interview: TBA
Useful Links
- Institution Website: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply now: UAB Selection Platform
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