Postdoctoral Research Associates (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)

Department: Graduate School of Development (GSD)

Units: Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA) and Mountain Societies Research Institute (MSRI)

Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Deadline: 07 March 2025

Type of contract: Service Agreement

Contract Period: 2 years fixed term with possibility for further extension or transition to permanent open-ended position at UCA

Purpose

The two Post-Doctoral Research Associates (PDRA) will contribute to research assignments within SDGnexus Network activities, conducting research in the broad areas of land or water use in Central Asia. Specifically, we seek one PDRA in each field – land / water. This may include desk and field studies, planning and involvement in research related discussions and dissemination events and preparing and publishing research outputs. The Post-Doctoral Research Associate/s will also act as UCAs key liaison person/s with the SDGnexus project partners and facilitate building mutually beneficial research collaborations. They will benefit from being an integral part of a global network, as well as important academic researchers within UCA and, as appropriate, will be offered teaching opportunities. Further background information can be found below the details of this announcement.

Reporting

The Post-Doctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) will report to the respective head of unit—either the Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA) or the Mountain Societies Research Institute (MSRI). They will collaborate with other researchers within the Graduate School of Development, be assigned a research mentor, and receive additional guidance from the Dean of Research. Additionally, the PDRAs will be integrated into the broader research environment of the SDGnexus project.

Critical Accountabilities and Outcomes

Research

• Develop and lead research focusing on Central Asia, particularly on land and water use changes in the context of climate change and institutional transformations. This includes examining how traditional land-use practices, such as agropastoralism and food market oriented commercial farming, are adapting to modern pressures, and how institutional frameworks can support sustainable resource management.
• Conduct innovative and policy-relevant research on the interlinkages between Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on the complex dynamics of land or water use in Central Asian mountainous societies.
• Publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, emphasizing the socio-ecological systems of Central Asia, where land and water use are deeply intertwined with historical, cultural, and institutional factors.
• Develop and implement an interschool research agenda aligned with SDGnexus priorities, emphasizing the interconnectedness of land, water, and energy systems in mountainous regions. This includes exploring the impacts of climate change on glacier-fed river systems, which are critical for irrigation, hydropower, and ecosystem services.

Networking and knowledge exchange

• Collaborate with international and interdisciplinary research teams within UCA and the SDGnexus network to address challenges unique to Central Asia.
• Engage in science-policy dialogues to bridge research with policy implementation, ensuring that findings are translated into actionable strategies for sustainable land and/or water governance in Central Asia.
• Establish a research interest group, including GSD, School of Arts and Sciences staff and students, and interested scholars from other institutions, focused on sustainable development challenges in Central Asia.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement initiatives, including government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations, to foster collaborative solutions for transboundary water management and/or land-use planning in the region.

Capacity building / teaching

• Contribute to capacity-building initiatives, including mentoring postgraduate students (MSc, PhD) and early-career researchers, with a focus on equipping them with the tools to address the region’s pressing challenges, such as glacier retreat, soil degradation, transboundary water conflicts, migration and its impact on land and water use, food security, rural development, sustainable economic development, etc.
• Undertake limited teaching on UCA’s undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, as appropriate.

Professional development

• Contribute to preparation of grant applications and research proposals that address the unique challenges of Central Asian mountainous societies, such as the need for climate-resilient agricultural practices and equitable water allocation mechanisms.
• Participate in conferences, workshops, and academic events to share insights on the role of mountainous regions in achieving global sustainability goals, particularly SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land).
• Engage in limited amounts of department/school ‘service’ (e.g. attending department meetings, supporting organisation and planning for academic events etc)

Qualifications:

Education

• A PhD degree in climate science, environmental studies, high mountain agriculture or a relevant economics or policy related field, completed within the past 3 years.

Experience and Knowledge

• A knowledge of mountain regions of Central and South Asia and their socio-economic and environmental challenges.
• Experience in utilising spatial and statistical data analysis methods and tools will be a strong asset.
• Understanding of key focal areas of MSRI or IPPA in the respective regions of Central Asia

Abilities

• Willingness to work in new and challenging environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams.
• Ability to develop and manage research and development projects.
• Excellent communication and networking skills.

​​​​​​Languages

Fluency in oral and written English. Competency in Russian is an advantage, as is knowledge of Kyrgyz, Kazakh or Tajik.

Background Information

These positions at UCA are part of a project supported by the SDGNexus Network Project, led by the Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University, Giessen and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany (BMZ).

SDGNexus Network

The SDGnexus Network is a global community of universities, research centres and stakeholders committed to promoting the Agenda-2030 for sustainable development and is a part of the DAAD “Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation – exceed” program. The SDGnexus project is dedicated to investigating the complex interaction between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their implications for sustainable development pathways.

UCA

UCA was founded in 2000 by the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and His Highness the Aga Khan, ratified by their respective parliaments, and registered with the United Nations. Conceptualized as a regional university, UCA was established to offer an internationally recognized standard of higher education in Central Asia and prepare graduates to contribute leadership, ideas and innovations to the transitioning economies and communities of the region, while also becoming an internationally recognised research university. UCA’s undergraduate campuses are located in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan; and Khorog, Tajikistan while the Graduate School of Development is based primarily in Bishkek, with other offices in Dushanbe and Khorog and a small representation in Kazakhstan.

IPPA and MSRI

IPPA was established in 2011 to strengthen public policy in Central Asia. It provides an in-depth analysis of current and emerging policy issues facing the region and improves the analytical capacity of governments and civil society to use evidence in decision-making processes through professional development. MSRI applies sound scientific expertise to study complex earth surface and environmental processes and interactions that affect mountain societies. Its interdisciplinary research focuses on improving mountain livelihoods, sustainably managing natural resources, mitigating the effects of natural hazards and climate change, and building community resilience in these challenging environments.

How to Apply
Ready to join our team? We kindly invite you to submit your application for this position by clicking the Apply button on this page. To facilitate a smooth application process, please create an account on our website. Be assured that the account setup and application steps are straightforward.

Candidates from the founding countries of UCA: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan are encouraged to apply for the position.

Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.