Research Associate

About us 

This 4-year Research Associate position sits within the European Research Council-funded project ‘AdaptAIR: Climate Adaptation through Artificial Ice Reservoirs in the Himalayas’. This project explores the social, cultural and environmental context of the deployment of Artificial Ice Reservoirs (AIRS) as water management tools in the Himalayan cold desert regions, in the context of rapidly retreating glaciers. Working with partner Acres of Ice (acresofice.com), the project combines high-resolution climate, glacier and hydrological modelling with approaches from anthropology, history and critical agrarian studies to understand water use and agrarian change in the region, and how AIRs affect this. The project works across case studies in Ladakh, Spiti, and possibly Nepal. 

About the role 

This role will use qualitative and some minimal quantitative research methods to explore agrarian change and rural development vis-à-vis climate and environmental change in Himalayan mountain regions. Specifically, this role explores how rural mountain communities are experiencing changing agricultural practices, declining water availability, livelihood diversification, increased tourism and changing socio-cultural relations. You will conduct household surveys which involve some quantitative data and significant qualitative data to explore changing livelihoods in particular villages in each region. You will also undertake further interviews and focus groups to understand specific trends and patterns more deeply. You will work alongside a post doc focused on visual qualitative methods and ensure methods are complementary. You will prioritise research is community-engaged at all stages of the project, including liaising with community organisations. You will be sensitive to conducting research in Himalayan socio-cultural contexts. You will also be comfortable working in remote, cold and rural Himalayan regions with limited connectivity and facilities. You will conduct research in rugged, outdoor environments which may involve hill walking on difficult terrain.

You will contribute to outputs which may include project reports and academic publications, as well as impact-related work such as policy briefings, exhibitions at a COP and media work. Your work will contribute to discussions about agrarian transition among high mountain communities and rural climate adaptation. You will also work in an interdisciplinary team including post docs, PhD students, partners and the four PIs to contribute to interdisciplinary outputs exploring how climate adaptation in mountain regions and beyond can be improved.

You will be supervised by, and work closely with, PI Nithya Natarajan (background in agrarian studies) at King’s College, London. The project will also entail working closely with a colleague at the University of Guelph, and scientists and social scientists in the UK and India. The role will be based in London, but will require fieldwork in Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and possibly Nepal for extended periods. Your work will contribute directly to the aims of AdaptAIR, and you will be encouraged to develop your own research agenda.

This is a full time post, and you will be offered an a fixed term contract for four years.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

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