Research possibilities for the MSCA SEAS postdoctoral research fellow in regulatory and governance challenges related to ocean sustainability

This position is connected to the thematic areas of regulatory and governance challenges related to ocean sustainability. Applicants are encouraged to submit research proposals exploring the regulatory framework applicable to sea spaces, with a focus on maritime issues, marine sustainability, the ocean-climate nexus, and offshore energy.

The position is open to either an incoming or an outgoing candidate, see mobility rules. The successful candidate will be employed at the Faculty of Law with affiliation to the Research Group for Natural Resource Law, Environmental Law and Development Law.

For further details about the research possibilities please contact Associate Professor Ignacio Herrera Anchustegui, leader of the Research Group. Upon contact Anchustegui will direct interested candidates to relevant potential supervisors who will be able to offer advice towards the development of a research proposal.

Technological development, the increase in human population, the climate emergency, and the intense utilization of marine spaces bring about the need to develop further expertise in legal governance and resource management. The Faculty of Law seeks to recruit a postdoctoral research fellow who can contribute to developing legal academic scholarship that addresses these issues.

We welcome research proposals focused on one or more of the thematic areas listed below. Applicants are asked to connect their original research proposal to one or more of these issues but have ample freedom to tailor their proposal to their interests and strengths.

• Public International Law (Law of the Sea), sustainability and State or private sector sustainability-related liability;
• Regulatory implications brought by circular economy approaches in offshore activities, such as offshore infrastructure repurposing or reutilization, ships decommissioning, marine pollution prevention, among others;
• Public or private climate and sea-related litigation;
• Sustainable maritime navigation, for example, exploring aspects related to carbon pricing implementation, sustainability requirements in maritime contracts, and/or fuel-related governance;
• Ocean-related green criminology;
• Sustainable governance and regulation of fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood production;
• Cross-border offshore infrastructure projects and its regulation;
• Ocean climate justice aspects (including elements to offshore energy justice or coastal communities’ justice).

Research projects are expected to be clearly structured and built around relevant legal research questions/themes. Interdisciplinary methodologies are welcome to enrich the legal research.

The position is open to both incoming and outgoing applicants. Applicants must hold a PhD degree within Law prior to the application deadline. If this is not the case, applicants must document that the PhD thesis has been successfully defended, or has been submitted for evaluation and is currently being evaluated by the PhD evaluation body of your academic institution. By the time of the hiring, the successful candidate must have obtained a PhD degree within Law.

The primary objective of this postdoctoral position is to qualify the appointee for work in top academic positions. The UiB-contract may, under certain conditions, be extended by up to one year e.g., if the fellow is qualified to teach in compulsory courses at the master’s level at the Faculty of Law and/or if the faculty/research group/supervisor or fellow receives additional funding.

The successful candidate will be employed at the Faculty of Law of the University of Bergen with affiliation to the Research Group for Climate, Energy and Environmental Law. The successful applicant must actively participate in the faculty’s research community. The successful applicant must be able to start the offered position no later than three months after the offer has been accepted.

The Research Group for Climate, Energy and Environmental Law comprises ten full-time internationally active and renowned legal researchers devoted to areas tightly linked to marine and maritime sustainability. As part of the team, the successful candidate will join an active, international and inclusive community that strives to become a point of reference in Northern Europe in cutting-edge legal research on ocean sustainability, management of natural resources, offshore energy and climate change.

The Faculty of Law has a large international research network. The post-doctoral researcher will have access to world-class milieus in building her/his career through research collaborations, project development, and eventual research stays. There are also opportunities to collaborate with the vivid marine and maritime industrial environment in the Norwegian Western Coast, regulatory and governmental agencies and other interest groups. Examples of these are: Maritime Bergen, the Institute of Marine Research (Havforskningsinstituttet), Vestland County Municipality, and various energy and maritime companies.

The full advertisement in Jobbnorge will be available from April 29, until call deadline June 10, 2024.

Please be aware

• That until May 1st 2024, there might be minor adjustments in the Guide for applicants and the templates needed for applying.
• That the application process is time-demanding and requires a close dialogue with name-given available faculty supervisor or contact who, close to the deadline, must sign a supervisor match declaration if an application is to be eligible.