Postdoctoral Researcher (Premier.e assistant.e) Environmental Humanities

Introduction

The University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where nearly 17,000 students and 5,000 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study. Ideally situated along the lake of Geneva, near Lausanne's city center, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities.

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Presentation

The Institute of Geography and Sustainability (IGD) seeks to fill a postdoctoral position in Environmental Humanities (100%). This position is linked to the research group of Prof. Sara Asu Schroer (Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences).

The IGD is an interdisciplinary community of about 130 academics that work in the fields of Geography and Sustainability. With 24 professors and lecturers, and more than 80 PhD students and postdocs, the department offers a vibrant, stimulating environment for cutting-edge research. It hosts regular lecture series and distinguished guest researchers from around the world.

Job information

Starting date: November 1, 2026 (or to be agreed)

Contract length: 1 year, renewable 2 years, maximum 3 years

Activity rate: 100%

Workplace: University of Lausanne, Institute of Geography and Sustainability, Geopolis, Lausanne, Switzerland

Your responsibilities

The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing debates in environmental humanities at an international level and will pursue a field-based empirical research agenda.

• 50% of the activity rate will be dedicated to the development of personal postdoctoral research within Environmental Humanities. The ability to critically and reflexively engage with environmental and sustainability issues from an environmental humanities perspective is essential. A topical focus that relates to the research group, such as research interests in conservation, anthropogenic landscape change, geo-sociality, drought, or avian worlds, is encouraged.  
• 50% of the activity rate will be devoted to supporting teaching and carrying out research tasks, and to assisting with technical and administrative activities in support of the professorship of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences, including with the organization of academic workshops and events. Teaching responsibilities specifically involve the development and delivery (in collaboration with Prof. Schroer) of the courses ‘Ecologies in the Anthropocene: An introduction to the Environmental Humanities’ (BA level), and ‘Nature and Culture in the Anthropocene’ (MA level), as well as the supervision of BA and MA dissertations and examination activities.  

Your qualifications

• The successful candidate is expected to have earned a doctoral degree in a discipline related to the Environmental Humanities.
• A background and theoretical training in environmental geography/ anthropology/philosophy/history, postcolonial theory, STS or geo-anthropology would be considered an asset.
• An enthusiasm for teaching an interdisciplinary cohort of students through student-centred, collaborative teaching approaches and critical pedagogies is expected.  
• Ability to produce excellent research outputs of the highest quality.
• Strong organisational and effective time-management skills.
• Fluency in French and English is essential.

What the position offers you

We offer a stimulating work environment and atmosphere, with dedicated support for developing an academic career. Members of our research groups become part of international networks and benefit from opportunities to attend conferences and workshops around the world.

We offer an excellent remuneration package and additional funds for fieldwork and conferences. Different formation opportunities are possible at UNIL or in Swiss institutions that promote postdoctoral research.

unil.ch/work