Studentship in Social Anthropology (INFRACURSIONS)

The Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Bristol is recruiting a Doctoral Fellow for the INFRACURSIONS Project that develops a comparative study of ‘incursion economies’ defined as deregulated economies that invade the global frontiers and result in environmental destruction. The study will focus on the informal infrastructures built around clandestine land grabbing, illegal logging, and prospector mining in Amazon frontiers. The project gathers data using interdisciplinary methodologies. 

The doctoral fellow will form part of the INFRACURSIONS research team with a specific focus on ethnographic research within local institutions (such as logger syndicates, landholder or squatter associations, mining cooperatives or federations for extractivist rights) that deal with bureaucratic and legal procedures in realtion to small-scale extraction on a regular basis. The doctoral fellow will undertake a period of fieldwork in a relevant site in lowland South America, as well as undertake policy research in their region of research. 

Consider applying if:

• You have a good first degree (at least 2:1) and preferably a Masters (or equivalent) in Anthropology or a related topic area such as human geography, Latin American studies, social science, 3rd sector expertise, or other closely related field (to be completed by the start date of the position).
• You are familiar with anthropological research methods. Training in ethnographic methods will be provided but some prior knowedge or experience is desirable.
• You are highly motivated to work on your case study as an early career researcher and to be an active member of an international research team.
• You are acquainted with or have an interest in South American/Amazon politics, history and/or policy.
• You are capable of producing high-quality written work in English and/or Spanish/Portuguese.
• You have experience in conducting independent research to completion, including skills for identifying and articulating a research programme, obtaining and synthesising relevant knowledge, analysing data, and writing and presenting results for dissemination.
• You have excellent language skills in either Spanish or Portuguese.
• You have very good communication skills.
• You are willing to do fieldwork in a country in South America that comprise the project case studies (Brazil, Peru or Bolivia). You can also make a case for a different region you believe could be appropriate. 

How to apply:

Please make an online application for this project at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply. Please select Anthropology and Archaeology PhD on the Programme Choice page, September 2024 as the start date and full-time as the mode of attendance. In the Fee Information section, please state that you are applying for PhD studentship in Incursion Economies.

Deadline: Monday 3^rd June.

Required application document details found here: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/arts/postgraduate/documents/funding-adverts/Infracursions%20PhD%20Further%20Information%20V2.pdf

Funding:

The successful candidate will be supported for 4 years full-time, which will include: 

• A maintenance stipend in line with UKRI (£18,622 pa in 2023/24). 
• Tuition fees at Home rate [additional costs waived for Overseas students as per ERC funding policy].
• An opportunity to gain paid experience as a Teaching Assistant in Anthropology (subject to availability, qualifications and completing of relevant training).
• Allowances for research expenses, including computer and recording materials, and travel and subsistence costs towards fieldwork. 

Contacts:

For questions about this vacancy, please contact Dr Amy Penfield: amy.penfield@bristol.ac.uk, quoting “PhD INFRACURSIONS” in the subject line.

For questions about the application process, please contact the Faculty of Arts Postgraduate Research Admissions Office: artf-gradschool-admissions@bristol.ac.uk.

Advert information