Full-time PhD on Women's Work and Formalisation in Fisheries

About the role

The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) at the University of Bern invites applications for a full‑time PhD focused on women’s livelihood transformations in West African fisheries. The research is part of the SIRENA project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, which examines how regulatory governance and formalisation affect fishing communities.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct a PhD in Geography and Sustainable Development within the CDE framework.
• Carry out qualitative, multi‑site fieldwork in Ghana, Senegal and The Gambia, concentrating on women’s roles in post‑harvest fish value chains.
• Analyse the gendered impacts of fisheries formalisation and regulatory interventions.
• Collaborate closely with the principal investigator, an advanced post‑doc, and local partners to produce joint publications.
• Contribute to the broader objectives of the SIRENA project and to debates on equitable fisheries governance.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Geography, Development Studies, Environmental Sciences or a related field.
• Strong interest in gender issues, fisheries, and sustainable development.
• Ability to work independently in multicultural field settings.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Required skills

What we offer

• Affiliation with the Sustainability Governance Impact Area of CDE.
• Access to a multidisciplinary research environment and international networks.
• Funding for fieldwork across three West African countries.