Senior Researcher/ Researcher, ECOIP Project, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN)

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.

Work content and job description
(At the time of appointment)
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.
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.
Please refer to the RIHN recruitment page below for full details and application instructions.
(Scope for changes to duties)
None.

Work experience
2.Have expertise relevant to at least one of the two research profiles.
3.Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed research publication or equivalent scholarly output.
4.Have sufficient English ability for research, publication, and international collaboration. Ability to communicate in one or more of the following languages is highly designed: Lao, Indonesian, French, or Spanish.
5.Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
6.A proven record of fieldwork experience is required.
7.Demonstrate appropriate awareness of research ethics when working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Insurance
Employees' Health Insurance :
Yes(Mutual aid association of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)

Measures for preventing passive smoking at the workplace
RIHN seeks to prevent passive smoking by prohibiting smoking in all our facilities except in designated areas.

Considerations for conducting interviews (e.g., those who live far away, such as overseas)
Please note that travel and related expenses will not be covered for interviews held at RIHN.

Description
The project intends, in principle, to recruit:

• Profile A: Political economy, global value chains, and environmental governance
• Profile B: Environmental justice, Indigenous Peoples, and participatory sustainability research

Applicants should indicate in their application whether they wish to be considered for Profile A, Profile B, or both.

Attached documents
Other online application forms
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.
※ 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.

Notification of result
n the basis of this screening, shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview either at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) or online (via Zoom), scheduled for mid-January 2027. Details will be provided to candidates when interviews are confirmed.