One (full-time) PhD candidate in Food System Transition in Switzerland
Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)
Starting: 1 January 2024
The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) is an interdisciplinary research centre of the University of Bern. Its overarching goal is to produce and share knowledge for sustainable development in cooperation with partners in the global North and South.
As a successful candidate, you will be part of a large research project entitled “From Farm to Fork and beyond: A Systemic Approach for Implementing True Cost Accounting for Food in Switzerland (TRUE-COST-OF-FOOD)”, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Food and agriculture systems have significant environmental, social, and health impacts that are not reflected in the cost of food. True cost accounting for food (TCAF) - measuring social, environmental, and health impacts in monetary terms - has been put forward at the national and international levels as a potentially powerful tool for transforming food systems. TRUE-COST-OF-FOOD first aims at providing a comprehensive understanding and a unified methodology of TCAF in Switzerland, based on existing research in other contexts. It does so by 1) integrating the public health dimension and developing health impact metrics; 2) proposing implementation pathways and analyzing their acceptability by engaging with Swiss stakeholders across the value chain; 3) identifying interdependencies and levers for change at different levels, including policy-making, the private sector, and consumers; 4) building a proof of concept to shed light on the multifunctionality of food and ease the shift towards healthier and more sustainable food for all. TRUE-COST-OF-FOOD takes an interdisciplinary, holistic, and systemic approach to food systems. Several disciplines (agriculture, public health, environmental engineering, economics, business and innovation, behavioral sciences, and international relations) will work together to achieve the above-mentioned goals.
Under the guidance of senior project members based at the University of Bern, the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH (School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences BFH-HAFL), and the University of Lausanne, you will conduct your main research in Switzerland. You will be affiliated with the research group of Dr. Theresa Tribaldos (CDE, University of Bern) and work closely with partners at the other universities involved in TRUE-COST-OF-FOOD.
- Conduct a PhD in Geography
- Co-elaborate a system-based theory of change to transition to a more sustainable, fair and resilient Swiss food system, co-create different transition pathways and scenarios for acceptable compensation mechanisms, and analyse the policy framework underlying the Swiss food system
- The PhD position will focus on the Swiss actor and policy landscape
- Collaborate closely with colleagues and partners of the TRUE-COST-OF-FOOD project and beyond; participate in project publications, research workshops and other events; build a network with practitioners; and contribute to the project's overall communication strategy
- Present your research at scientific conferences
- Publish results in international peer-reviewed journals
- An excellent Master's degree in geography, food sciences, or a related social sciences discipline, with a focus on environmental and/or sustainability topics
- Experience in qualitative social sciences' methods
- Ideally, knowledge/experience in the Swiss food system and its policy landscape
- Interest and motivation to engage with a broad range of food system actors and the willingness to navigate tensions and controversial issues related to food system transition
- Excellent language skills in French, German and English
- Practical or research experience in participatory engagements are a plus
- You must be a team player, who can work in a precise, engaged, and self-organized manner, and have the skills and commitment to work in an interdisciplinary field.
- A highly motivated, dynamic, and interdisciplinary research environment, committed to inspiring sustainable futures
- The chance to become an integral team member in the Sinergia-funded TRUE-COST-OF-FOOD project
- Close and supportive supervision and collaboration with the project leaders and partners of your PhD research
- Participation in the International Graduate School North-South (www.igs-north-south.ch)
- A fully-funded PhD position for 46 months, with a budget for international conferences
- Employment conditions and remuneration in accordance with the standards of the University of Bern, Switzerland
Starting: 1 January 2024
Duration: 46 months
Application documents: Please send your letter of motivation, CV with academic/professional certificates, and contact details of two references (no reference letters needed at this stage) as a single PDF to:
Additionally, please send us your Master's thesis in a separate PDF document.
Apply by:
For more information: Dr. Theresa Tribaldos theresa.tribaldos@unibe.ch
CDE values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities; applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates who meet the stated criteria.
