PhD position: Sustainable sourcing policies for biodiversity protection, climate mitigation, and improved livelihoods in the West Africa cocoa sector in Zürich

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Environmental Policy Lab and the Sustainable Agroecosystems Group invite applications for 1 PhD student, 3+ years – Start date: May 1, 2021 or by agreement (latest August 1, 2021).

For a large interdisciplinary project titled: SUSTAIN-COCOA: Sustainable sourcing policies for biodiversity protection, climate mitigation, and improved livelihoods in the cocoa sector, the new PhD student will contribute to understanding the impacts of forest-focused supply chain policies and agroforestry adoption on farmer well-being and climate resilience in Ghana and Ivory Coast with a focus on cocoa producing farms. At ETH, the student will be advised by Prof. Rachael D. Garrett and Prof. Johan Six.

A major driver of forest loss and degradation in the tropics is the production and trade of food commodities and associated land management practices, with cocoa being the leading forest-risk commodity in West Africa. Yet, cocoa production in agroforestry systems harbors the potential to partially restore biodiversity and improve climate resilience. In the proposed research we aim to investigate whether forest-focused supply chain policies can lead to reduced deforestation and increased shade-tree cover in cocoa production systems and, in turn, a triple-win of increased biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and livelihood benefits.

We offer an intellectually challenging full-time position in one of the leading research centers in Europe. The salary is according to the , and increases with seniority.

The PhD student would focus on quantifying the impacts of supply chain policies and shade-tree cover on farm-level biodiversity, carbon storage, food production, income, and climate resilience through household interviews and field measurements across Ghana and Ivory Coast. The student would be working in coordination with another PhD student conducting complementary fieldwork, as well as other team members.

You should hold a MSc in public policy, economics, geography, agroecology, or agricultural sciences, but also have a vast interest in crossing disciplinary boundaries. Applicants are expected to have strong skills in quantitative methods, excellent writing, and a strong command of English and French. Applicants with experience conducting fieldwork in agricultural regions or in the field of supply chain policies, women, and/or members of under-represented groups in academia are particularly encouraged to apply.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.