Research assistant

Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) explores how people and nature can live and develop on a planet under pressure. The Centre is a collaboration between Stockholm University and the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy Sciences. We bring people together from around the world to research, study and collaborate, for a thriving and resilient biosphere that enables well-being for all.

For more information about us, please visit: Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC)

Project description

emBrace: Reconciling Food Systems Sustainability and Biodiversity Conservation in Multifunctional Protected Areas

Europe's rural landscapes are trapped on an unsustainable path, marked by unfair social and ecological dynamics with negative impacts on biodiversity and human well-being. On the one hand, we need a transformative shift in European food systems towards more sustainable and localized models dominated by agroecological practices, fair value chains and responsible consumption. On the other hand, we need inclusive conservation paradigms to halt biodiversity loss in a context where conventional conservation strategies are failing to preserve biodiversity while distancing society from nature. At emBrace we advocate for multifunctional protected areas such as NBS co-designed to reconcile biodiversity protection and sustainable food systems. We propose that such NBS aimed at reinforcing human-nature interconnectedness and built upon principles of environmental justice and inclusivity can inspire landscape stewardship actions that enhance co-benefits for biodiversity conservation and food system sustainability.

Through systematic data collection across emBrace’s four case studies, grounded on social learning and knowledge co-production, action-oriented research, cross-cultural learning and knowledge synthesis exercises, emBrace is poised to fill crucial knowledge gaps. Specifically, emBrace will explore 1) how collaboration within landscape coalitions can resolve trade-offs and tensions among actors in multifunctional protected areas, 2) the added value of integrating food systems and biodiversity protection within multifunctional protected landscapes, and 3) which ways exist to effectively share and amplify successful experiences, facilitating transformative change.

SRC will be responsible for the Swedish case study: Kristianstads Vattenrike (KV), which is situated in the South-East of Sweden. KV was declared a biosphere reserve in 2005 in response to the environmental and social challenges that the area faced. The area is renowned for its biodiversity (over 700 red-listed species), which blends with agricultural and forestry activities. Managed collaboratively by municipal organizations, farmers and local associations, KV features agroecological practices, notably Sweden’s largest flooded meadows area, which is used for grazing and hay-making. The unique cultural and biological values require active management and annual flooding to be maintained. It also leads WP1 on Visioning and scaling protected desirable futures for multifunctional protected areas landscapes. WP1 will utilize the Nature Futures Frame- work (NFF) to incorporate multiple value perspectives and pathways towards desirable futures for both people and nature in multifunctional protected areas. The NFF will serve as an over- arching heuristic in emBrace, which will (1) identify and synthesize the diverse positive visions of multifunctional protected areas into nature-futures scenarios, (2) iteratively analyze how these visions relate to human-nature connectedness, collaborative governance, and interdependent social-ecological benefits, and finally (3) distil pathways towards achieving these futures that synergistically interlink food system sustainability and biodiversity conservation. 

Main responsibilities

The research assistant is expected to contribute to the project by undertaking the following tasks:

1. Help to set up the relationship with the Sweden case study to undertake fieldwork for the various WPs, including applying for ethics
2. Start drafting the method protocol for the future visioning workshops for each of the case studies in collaboration with other project teams
3. Attend project meetings as relevant over the course of their employment

In addition, the research assistant will be required to synthesize information concisely and write coherently for both an academic and non-academic audience. 

Qualification requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish university Master degree or an equivalent degree from another country in a relevant discipline (e.g. sustainability science, geography). Excellent command and high proficiency in spoken and written English and Swedish are essential. A PhD or equivalent work experience is meritorious.

About the employment

This is a full-time employment for 8 months. Stockholm University applies individual salary setting. Start date as per agreement, preferably beginning April 2025.

We offer

With us, you will experience the dynamic interaction between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international environment and get favourable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park with good transport links to the city.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from Dr. Laura Pereira, phone: +46 72 045 01 88, laura.pereira@su.se.

Application

Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.