Author Archives: n4p5t3r

Dear friends,

I would like to share an upcoming opportunity that may be of interest to researchers in ocean sustainability and transformative change.

A new international call under the TalentGal programme (Galicia, Spain) will open 3 postdoctoral positions (30 months) open to all nationalities in our Equalsea Lab aimed at attracting excellent international researchers. The programme is designed to support postdoctoral talent in strategic research areas and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.

Thematic areas highly relevant include the following:

• Scaling Transformative Change for Ocean Sustainability and Equity
• Climate Adaptation and Coastal Resilience
• Visions, pathways, and Ocean Futures
• Safe and Just ocean boundaries

The programme offers an excellent opportunity to develop innovative research agendas within a strong European research environment, with international collaboration and access to advanced institutional support.

More information on the TalentGal initiative can be found here: https://talentgal.cigus.gal/

If you or someone in your networks may be interested, please feel free to contact me for an expression of interest, potential alignment of topics, or any questions regarding the call before May 30th.

I would be very happy to discuss ideas and possible collaborations.

All the best,

Sebastian Villasante

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Director EqualSea Lab I CRETUS

Earth Commission

Lead Author IPBES Second Global Assessment

Coordinating Lead Author IPBES Spatial planning and connectivity Assessment

Coordinating Lead Author IPBES Transformative Change Assessment.

The London School of Economics and Political Science I Multilateral negotiations

Harvard Kennedy School I Visiting Research Professor

IPBES 2024 Blue Planet Prize 

IPBES 2022 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity

PECS Ocean Equity for Sustainable Futures

Editor in Chief Marine Policy

Editor AMBIO I Ecosystems and People I npj Ocean Sustainability I PLOS Sustainability and Transformation

University of Santiago de Compostela

15782. A Coruña, Spain

Tel. +34 981563 100 I Extension 24441

Karl-Göran Mäler Scholar

The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Sweden

Recent publications

• IPBES 2024. Transformative Change Assessment Summary for Policymakers.
• Kinds, A. et al. 2024. Unveiling the hidden hands: Analysis of corporate ownership of industrial tuna fishing vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Marine Policy 171: 106474.
• Gianelli, I. et al. 2024. Envisioning desirable futures in small-scale fisheries: a transdisciplinary arts-based co-creation process. Ecology and Society 29(1):20.
• Ospina-Alvarez, A. et al. 2024. Global hake production and trade: Insights for food security and supply chain resilience. Nature Ocean Sustainability 3: 52.
• Garcia Rodrigues, J., S. Villasante, I. Sousa-Pinto. 2024. Exploring perceptions to improve the outcomes of a marine protected area. Ecology and Society 29(3):18. 

At the University of Talca we seek a Researcher(a) Postdoctoral fellow, in the framework of the project ‘Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research-Applied Research’.

The postdoctoral position is directed to an investigator with a background in Economics, Natural Resource Economics and Environmental Economics or Applied Economics (with a particular focus on the economics of water resources, including economics of aquaculture and fisheries) with experience in empirical research, both quantitative and qualitative in the area of economics of natural resources and the environment.

What functions do you perform?

Perform research in the framework of the project ‘ Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research-Applied Research , online Research ‘socio-Economic Impacts, Governance, and Market Dynamics’, by carrying out the following functions:

1. Develop solutions to address the effects of climate change on the sector, strengthening their resilience, adaptation, and competitiveness
2. Identify and measure the socio-economic impacts of aquaculture in Chile and the opportunities and challenges for sustainable and inclusive development
3. To assess the impacts of current and future regulations on the sector aimed at effective governance and decision-making mechanisms in the aquaculture sector
4. Promote sanitary practices cost-effective efforts to improve animal welfare and food safety in the aquaculture industry to strengthen its position in global markets.

The people applicants must submit the following background:

• Maintain updated curriculum vitae on the platform Working
• The CV should include the academic record, a summary of the doctoral thesis and the historical record full of their scientific productivity.

Documents to attach

In the section Add Attachments on the platform, the applicant must attach the following information:

• Academic certificates: simple copy of the certificate Doctor’s degree, as well as professional degrees academic and/or corresponding.
• Letters of recommendation: two (2) letters of recommendation. The format is available on the website of the Directorate of Research of the University of Talca, in the section ‘Documents’ .

*The rules of this contest will be available on the website of the Directorate of Research of the University of Talca.

*This offer of employment is governed under the Law N°21.015 that encourages the inclusion of people with disabilities in the world of work.

**By virtue of the entry into force of law N°21.389 (which created the National Register of Debtors of maintenance payments) and in the case of being hired and/or named/or in any of the charges published in this portal, the institution contracting should be consulted if you have an obligation pending in the above-mentioned National Register of Debtors of maintenance payments, to proceed with the deductions and payments to which they relate. The person named in the register shall authorize, as an enabling condition for the recruitment/appointment, the institution respective proceed to do the withholdings and payments directly to the food.

Desired profile

1. Be chilean or foreign(to) with residence in Chile and residence in the country at the time of launch work.
2. Possess the academic degree of Doctor(a) at the time of the application in national programmes accredited or equivalent foreign nationals, in disciplines atingentes to the profile required: Phd in Economics, Applied Economics, Natural Resource Economics, Agricultural Economics and Natural Resources or in related disciplines, which have expertise in the Economics of Aquaculture and Fisheries.
3. Possessing a history of competitive research, primarily in regard to the scientific articles and linking it to the theme of the specific research to be developed in the project for this contest.
4. Availability to start functions within the first half of 2026, according to institutional definition.
5. Domain of the English language.

For more information go here.

Job description

Tipo de planta académica: Regular Academic Track

Employment: Full time

The Faculty of Agronomy and Natural Systems (FASN) of UC Chile, one of the leading academic institutions in Latin America, is seeking exceptional and highly motivated candidates for a full-time Associate/Assistant Professor, for the development of undergraduate and graduate teaching, research and extension in the area of Environmental and Ecological Economics. The selected candidate will be part of a diverse and interdisciplinary team within the new academic program in Natural Resources Engineering.

The ideal candidate should possess a systems approach and strong quantitative skills to research economic issues related to the environment and ecology. The selected individual must have the ability to participate in existing research programs and develop independent and innovative research in the fields of environmental economics and natural resources. Their background should include one of the following areas: conservation economics, climate change economics, public policy, efficient resource allocation, economic evaluation of nature-based solutions, environmental impact economics, socio-ecological transition economics.

It is expected that the selected candidate will be able to teach at least two undergraduate courses for natural resources engineering students and at least one graduate course related to their specific skills. One of the undergraduate courses must be related to Introduction to Environmental and Natural Resources Economics (AGE 206), and the second should be an advanced undergraduate course in the field of environmental and natural resources economics (Natural Resources Economics (AG 320)); all courses must be taught in Spanish.

The candidate is also expected to lead a research program within this area, being responsible for securing funding, planning research activities, generating scientific publications, and training graduate students. Additionally, the candidate is expected to develop links with the community and support technology transfer of products developed during research according to the standards established by UC Chile.

Equal opportunity employer

UC Chile is committed to equal opportunities, to building an inclusive, diverse, fraternal community, and to promoting the academic development of women and men.

Qualifications

• Hold a Ph.D. degree at the time of hiring in one of the following disciplines: Economics, Natural Resources Economics, Environmental Economics, Ecological Economics, or equivalent.
• Skills to lead a high-quality research program in their area of expertise.
• Commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Evidence of research productivity.
• Particularly valued attributes for the selected individual include:
• Ability to link basic and applied research.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research.
• Record of obtaining research funding.
• Relevant experience in teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• Experience in natural resource management.

Required documents

Applicants must send the following documents to Professor Oscar Melo (omelo@uc.cl) prior to the application deadline. In the email subject indicate: Academic Call in Assistant/Associate Professor of Environmental Economics.

1. A cover letter addressing your qualifications and aspirations, explicitly identifying how they relate to the specific duties and responsibilities described in the job description;
2. A three-page curriculum vitae (CV);
3. A two-page letter specifically addressing the candidate’s commitment to fostering student success and teaching strategies for undergraduate and graduate courses.
4. A two-page letter describing your research proposal;
5. A list of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
6. Two letters of recommendation with names and contact information (email, phone, and address) of academics who can accurately describe the candidate’s strengths and characteristics. Please note that they may be contacted by the selection committee during the process.
7. Digitized copies of degrees and diplomas.
8. A person of foreign nationality without permanent residence in the country or who applies from abroad, if selected for the position, will then need to process their visa in their country of origin to join the academic staff of UC Chile.

Application Deadline: April 3, 2026

Availability: Second semester 2026 (ideal) or first semester 2027.

Additional information

Inquiries can be directed to Professor Oscar Melo (omelo@uc.cl) prior to the application deadline.

DURATION: Full time. 18 months, w/possibilities for extension until 36 months (i.e. through competitive Postdoc ANID grants).

DESCRIPTION: A postdoctoral position as part of the Coastal Social-Ecological Millennium Institute (SECOS) is available. SECOS Institute is formed by a multidisciplinary team of scientists from several Chilean universities, focused on coastal sustainability. Main objectives of SECOS are to understand global, regional, and local drivers of change; the social-ecological conditions that hinder sustainability; and to test and implement actions that unravel such conditions. Our work plan has been organized through the study of small- and medium-scale social-ecological experimental units, or ‘learning platforms’, which tackle key issues in Artisanal fisheries, Shellfish aquaculture, and Coastal development as social-ecological systems (SES). In particular, we look for a postdoctoral fellow to join the Coastal Development SES.

Post-doctoral research could be directed towards one of the following areas:

• Natural capital and biodiversity assessment for coastal development, including valuation and mapping of biodiversity-related ecosystem services, nature-related risks and opportunities, and the analysis of firms’ impacts and dependencies on nature to inform decision-making (e.g., conservation-investment trade-offs, coastal planning, and nature-based solutions).
• Economic trade-offs between coastal tourism development, conservation, and alternative coastal uses, analyzed within a social–ecological systems framework.
• Economic impacts of climate change on coastal tourism and cost–benefit evaluation of adaptation options, including nature-based solutions.
• Tourist preferences, behavior, and willingness to pay for coastal and marine conservation, using stated- and revealed preference approaches.

Methodological note: Currently, we are working on choice modeling using Virtual Reality and eye-tracking technologies to analyze tourists’ preferences and decision-making, and on the analysis of companies’ impacts and dependencies on nature to support nature-related management and coastal development strategies.

Research is expected to combine quantitative economic methods (e.g. non-market valuation, applied econometrics, behavioral economics) with field-based work in small- and medium-scale coastal social–ecological systems.

The successful applicant will be based in one of the SECOS associated institutions in Chile, preferably in the city of Concepción (Universidad de Concepción and Universidad del Desarrollo).  Some fieldwork will be required.

BACKGROUND: PhD in Economics, Environmental Economics, Ecological Economics, or closely related disciplines, with training or experience in non-market valuation, applied microeconomics, socio-economic analysis of environmental issues, or policy evaluation. Experience with quantitative, experimental, or mixed methods applied to sustainability, tourism, or coastal systems will be positively valued. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with an interdisciplinary team and engage with local coastal communities through intensive fieldwork in coastal social–ecological systems.

TO APPLY: Applicants should submit, electronically or in hardcopy form:

• Curriculum Vitae in extenso: LAST NAME, name – CV.
• Copies of degree certificates: LAST NAME, name – certificate.
• Cover letter: LAST NAME, name – letter.
• A statement of previous research achievements: LAST NAME, name – statement.
• Copies of relevant articles (maximum 3): LAST NAME, name – articles.
• A research plan (maximum 3 pages): LAST NAME, name – plan.
• A list of 2 referees (with contact details): LAST NAME, name – referees

Applications should be sent to: postulaciones@socioecologiacostera.cl, E-mail subject: SECOS Postdoc CD Application– CANDIDATE LAST NAME.

Deadline: March 17th, 2026.

DATES: Preferred start date is at the middle or later in April, 2024.

SALARY: The Postdoctoral fellow will receive a monthly salary of around CLP$2.100.000.- (annual salary of about US$ 28,100)

Applications should be submitted to:

Pablo Fuentes
Executive Director
Coastal Social-Ecological Millennium Institute (SECOS)
Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago