Investigating information systems

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We are looking for
Applications are being invited for a PhD student to conduct research through the BESTTuna programme; attached to the Aquaculture and Fisheries Group (AFI) and Environmental Policy Group (ENP) at Wageningen University, and in partnership with the University of the South Pacific USP). You will conduct independent research on the quality and use of tuna fisheries data collection and information systems in the Coral Triangle and Western Pacific. You will develop your PhD project in line with questions on the quality of national and sub-national fisheries data collection and information systems, how information use is changing to meet demands in global tuna value chains and what new role scientific knowledge might play in meeting the needs of international tuna regimes, private sector and NGOs. The post will be based in Wageningen but expected to spend extended periods of time in the Western Pacific based at (USP).
 
BESTTuna is a major research programme funded by the Interdisciplinary Research and Education Fund (INREF) that supports cooperative research between research groups at Wageningen University (The Netherlands), Bogor University (Indonesia), The University of the Philippines, the University of the South Pacific (Fiji) and the WWF-Coral Triangle Initiative. The objective of BESTTuna is to study the design of effective and equitable state and market-based governance arrangements to achieve sustainable trans-boundary tuna management in the Coral Triangle and Western Pacific. As an interdisciplinary programme emphasis is given to  social, political, economic and ecological dimensions.

We ask

• A Masters degree in fisheries management, ecology, economics, sociology, geography or related fields
• Some knowledge of information systems used in fisheries management
• Capacity to carry out independent fieldwork in an international setting
• A collaborative and team oriented attitude, with an open mind for other scientific approaches
• A strong ambition to upgrade your knowledge and academic skills
• Candidates with a scientific publication record are preferred.
• The position is open for citizens of Pacific nations only

We require
Wageningen University has the following admission criteria for PhD students: English proficiency of 6.5 for IELTS, with a minimum of 6.0 for each academic module. You also need an acceptance of the candidate by the supervisors and the equivalent of a Dutch MSc degree. For further information on the specific application criteria see: Application PhD 
 
We offer
The 4-years PhD study will be developed according to a sandwich formula, with a maximum of 28 months of field work in the Western Pacific, and a minimum of 20 months data analysis, writing and training in Wageningen, the Netherlands.
The candidate will be employed by the University of the South Pacific for the duration of the study. For a period of 24 months an allowance is available in accordance with the Dutch fellowship program to cover additional costs of living and accommodation in the Netherlands of €1190 per month. Furthermore the PhD candidate will receive a settling in allowance, a book allowance and a health- and third party insurance during the months spent in Wageningen and international travel costs and the costs for visa for the Netherlands will be paid for.

To apply
Send your application, a covering letter with your motivation and a CV, before the 31st of March 2012 (Extended deadline!) to Simon Bush by email (simon.bush@wur.nl). Please indicate the number of the BESTTuna PhD position you are applying for clearly in your cover letter.

Additional information
See www.besttuna.wur.nl or contact Paul van Zwieten (paul.vanzwieten@wur.nl), Simon Bush (simon.bush@wur.nl) or Vina Ram Bidesi (ram_v@usp.ac.fj)