Researcher/ Senior Researcher【Contracted Employee】,
ECOIP Project, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) 

(At the time of appointment)
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
(Address: 457-4 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 603-8047 Japan)

(Scope for changes)
None.

(At the time of appointment)
The ECOIP project “Towards an Ethical Economy: Addressing the Impacts of Commodity Trade and Consumption on Indigenous Land and Survival” investigates how global commodity production, trade, and consumption affect Indigenous Peoples, their territories, livelihoods, rights, and ways of life.
The project integrates global footprint analysis, geospatial research, political-economy and governance analysis, field-based social research, Indigenous-led research, and stakeholder co-creation.
Successful candidates will be encouraged to take initiative in developing and carrying out research that contributes to the objectives of the ECOIP project, while working within the project’s overall plan and timeline. They will work closely with the project leader and other project members, with room to bring their own expertise, perspectives, and ideas into the research.

Profile A: Political economy, global value chains, and environmental governance
The researcher will examine the political economy and governance of commodity-driven pressures on Indigenous Peoples by linking conflict hotspots to commodity flows, companies, producer and consumer markets, and governance conditions.
Research may include:
•    policy, legal, and implementation gaps concerning Indigenous rights;
•    global commodity value chains and supply chains;
•    corporate, financial, governmental, and institutional actors involved in extractive and industrial development;
•    environmental and natural-resource governance;
•    corporate due diligence, responsible sourcing, and certification;
•    comparative analysis across commodities, countries, and regions.
Relevant backgrounds: political economy, public policy, global value chain studies, environmental governance, political ecology, development studies, economic/human geography, sustainability science, or related fields.
Desirable skills and experience (one or more of the following): qualitative or mixed-method research, comparative methods such as QCA/fsQCA, policy and institutional analysis, commodity/supply-chain analysis, network analysis, trade or corporate datasets, and quantitative analysis using R, Python, Stata, or similar tools.

Profile B: Environmental justice, Indigenous Peoples, and participatory sustainability research
The researcher will examine the socio-environmental impacts of commodity production and extractive activities on Indigenous Peoples and the responses of affected communities and other stakeholders.
Research may include:
•    field research with Indigenous Peoples and local communities;
•    semi-structured interviews, participant observation, participatory mapping, surveys, and other mixed methods;
•    environmental justice and land/resource-rights analysis;
•    stakeholder responses, resistance, adaptation, and conflict resolution;
•    Indigenous-led and community-based research;
•    co-creation of knowledge and practical solutions with stakeholders.
Relevant backgrounds: environmental justice, Indigenous studies, human geography, anthropology, political ecology, human ecology, development studies, environmental sociology, sustainability science, or related fields.
Desirable skills and experience (one or more of the following): fieldwork with Indigenous or local communities, qualitative and participatory methods, comparative case studies, stakeholder analysis, mixed methods, participatory mapping, FPIC and research ethics, and analysis using NVivo, MAXQDA, R, Python, or similar software.

Common responsibilities
Both researchers will be expected to:
•    develop and pursue research ideas in line with the project’s overall plan and timeline, and publish in peer-reviewed journals;
•    collaborate across natural and social science disciplines;
•    conduct fieldwork independently in rural and remote areas with limited infrastructure;
•    engage with Indigenous organizations, NGOs, governments, businesses, and other stakeholders where appropriate;
•    contribute to project dissemination, meetings, seminars, workshops, co-creation, and social implementation activities.

(Scope for changes to duties)
None.

Please prepare the following in English and submit them as email attachments.

1.    Curriculum Vitae (with photograph) using the NIHU format. If you have not yet been awarded a PhD, be sure to state the expected conferral date.
2.    List of research outputs (doctoral thesis, peer-reviewed articles, books/monographs, awards). If these categories are already included in your researchmap or ORCID, you may provide the URL in lieu of a separate list.
3.    PDF copies of up to three key publications or books/chapters.
4.    Research summary and plan describing previous research experience and how the applicant could contribute to the ECOIP project (approximately 1,000-1,500 words).
5.    Contact details for 1-2 referees who can comment on your application (name, affiliation/position, telephone number, and email address).

[Notes]
•    All documents must be A4 size. Prepare each document as a separate file and include your name on each file. Place all documents in a single ZIP folder and submit it by email. If the ZIP file exceeds 15 MB, please upload it to a file-sharing service such as Dropbox or Google Drive and provide the access link in your email.
•    The submitted materials will be used solely for recruitment screening and will not be disclosed, transferred, or lent to any third party without due cause.

CV format:
PDF　EXCEL

*Residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) are required to submit the "Consent form for handling personal information based on GDPR" with your signature.
PDF

Submission email：ecoip[at]chikyu.ac.jp (please replace [at] with @)
※    Please set the email subject line to “Application for ECOIP Researcher”.
※    If you do not receive an acknowledgement within three working days, please contact the above address again by email.

【General enquiries about the call】
MIKAMI Yukari
E-mail：ecoip[at]chikyu.ac.jp (please replace [at] with @)

•    Based on the results of the screening, candidates who demonstrate outstanding research achievements and are deemed capable of playing a pivotal role in the formation of this project may be appointed as "Senior Researchers."
•    The travel costs (flight and per diem) will be provided for the relocation of international researchers to Kyoto in accordance with the regulations of RIHN.
•    RIHN seeks to prevent passive smoking by prohibiting smoking in all our facilities except in designated areas.
•    RIHN guarantees equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of nationalities and gender orientations.
•    RIHN promotes gender equality. We look forward to receiving applications from female candidates.