PhD Socio-legal studies JARAK: commoditization of an alternative biofuel crop

Ph.D. POSITION, Socio-legal studies in "JARAK: the commoditization of an alternative biofuel crop in Indonesia"
at the Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Development (Faculty of Law).

Title PhD project:
"Claims and facts on land, water and environment: socio-legal issues in jatropha cultivation in Eastern Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Central Kalimantan"

Description
Jatropha is a plant that is promoted as a new, alternative biofuel crop. Its introduction in Indonesia by private and public actors is supported by new policies and regulation, but also evokes protests and conflicts. Controversial issues on jatropha include its environmental sustainability, and questions whether land for jatropha is available and can be classified as `marginal', how jatropha cultivation can be balanced with food production, rights of laborers and small holders, and how water resources of the local population can be protected. The answers are partly context specific, partly a matter of nation-wide regulation. This PhD research is a combination of social science and law, including empirical research on practical consequences of jatropha projects and perspectives and interests of various types of actors involved. Aims of this PhD research are to create an overview of laws and policies pertaining to jatropha, analyze their implementation and effects in practice, indicate gaps in this legal framework and identifying dispute resolution mechanisms around the jatropha commodity chain. Field research is planned in two sites, in the provinces Central Kalimantan and Eastern Nusa Tenggara.

Starting date: 1 May 2010.

Background
This is a PhD position in the research cluster "JARAK: the commoditization of an alternative biofuel crop in Indonesia". The interdisciplinary cluster team will conduct research on policy, legislation, technical crop qualities and production possibilities, and on the socio-economic impact of Jatropha cultivation in Indonesia. It is part of a broader research program funded by NWO and KNAW on "Agriculture beyond Food". The cluster includes 6 projects carried out by two Post-Doc researchers and four PhD researchers from Indonesia and the Netherlands. JARAK is a joint activity of 5 Dutch academic institutes with their Indonesian partner institutes. Three other PhD positions (international scholarships) for this program are open at Wageningen UR, the Institute of Cultural Anthropology of the Leiden University's Social Science Faculty and at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta.

Tasks
• To engage in supervised scientific research that will ultimately result in a doctoral thesis;
• To carry out a systematic literature analysis related to the relevant PhD;
• To conduct field research in Indonesia;
• To prepare and submit research output for publication in peer-reviewed international scientific journals;
• To participate in the other activities of the Van Vollenhoven Institute in Leiden.
• To assist the program coordinator.
Requirements
• Master degree in law and/or social sciences, with demonstrated interest in law, governance and development
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English; good command of Bahasa Indonesia is desirable;
• Demonstrated research experience
• Ability and willingness to carry out empirical research and stay for extended periods in Indonesia;
• Keen interest in interdisciplinary socio-legal research methods and approaches;
• Ability to work in a team and willingness to support other activities of the Van Vollenhoven Institute;
.
Appointment
The successful applicant will be appointed for a fixed-term period of 4 years, with continuation dependent upon an evaluation after 12 months. The gross monthly salary will be in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Dutch Universities for academic personnel, and will range from € 2.042,- per month in the first year, gradually rising to € 2.612,- in the final year.

Further information
More information on the project and JARAK program can be obtained from Dr. Jacqueline Vel, tel. +31 (0)71 527 7260 or J.A.C.Vel@law.leidenuniv.nl.

Application
Applicants should submit an application before Monday 1 February 2010. Applications should be sent to Van Vollenhoven Institute, Faculty of Law, PO Box 9520, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands or through Email to vollenhoven@law.leidenuniv.nl, for attention of Dr.ir. J.A.C.Vel.

In order to apply, the applicant must submit the following:
• a curriculum vitae;
• the MA thesis or other major writing sample;
• an academic transcript;
• name and contact details of two referees;
• a short research proposal of up to three pages, including a letter of motivation.

Further information

More information on the project and JARAK program can be obtained from Dr. Jacqueline Vel, tel. +31 (0)71 527 7260 or J.A.C.Vel@law.leidenuniv.nl.

Application

Applicants should submit an application before Monday 1 February 2010. Applications should be sent to Van Vollenhoven Institute, Faculty of Law, PO Box 9520, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands or through Email to vollenhoven@law.leidenuniv.nl, for attention of Dr.ir. J.A.C.Vel.
In order to apply, the applicant must submit the following:

· a curriculum vitae;

· the MA thesis or other major writing sample;

· an academic transcript;

· name and contact details of two referees;

· a short research proposal of up to three pages, including a letter of motivation.