Research fellow in mountain hazards and disaster risk reduction

General Information

The University of Central Asia (UCA) recently established the Mountain Societies Research Centre (MSRC) to generate, disseminate and promote the application of knowledge for the development of the countries of the Central Asian region and their societies. The MSRC, along with other thematic research centres currently being established, will be the academic core of UCA for the next five-year period during which UCA is developing its undergraduate and graduate-level academic programmes. The MSRC is seeking a Research Fellow in Mountain Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction as part of the Centre’s Research Fellowship Programme.

The MSRC's Research Fellowship Programme will strategically match post-doctoral fellows from Central Asia with researchers from partner universities outside Central Asia as well as with representatives from the Aga Khan Development Network’s partner agencies or other implementation-oriented organizations. These research teams will collaboratively develop and undertake externally-funded research focused on issues specific to the Centre's research agenda with the aim to produce academic as well as applied outputs. The geographic scope of research will be the mountain areas of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, southeast Kazakhstan, northeast Afghanistan, northern Pakistan and western China.

MSRC Research Fellow in Mountain Hazards and Disaster Risk Management

Understanding and reducing risks associated with natural hazards is a critical issue for mountain societies in Central Asia and is a priority for MSRC. UCA is collaborating with the Disaster Risk Management Initiative (DRMI) to develop research capacity in this area and to apply research to support and enhance the resilience and quality of life of mountain societies in Central Asia. DRMI was established in 2010 to strengthen the relevant disaster management capabilities of the Aga Khan Development Network in Central and South Asia. The MSRC Research Fellow in Mountain Hazards and Risk Management will work collaboratively with senior management of MSRC and DRMI as well as with a researcher from a partner university to refine an applied research agenda, develop and submit research proposals for external funding, carry out research and produce both academic and applied outputs.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union two decades ago, there has been a significant but unsystematic volume of natural hazards research in Central Asia. This has included independent assessments of climate change, seismology, and hydro-meteorology, but very few holistic research programmes that have informed policy, or improved livelihoods, in mountain communities. UCA is seeking a research fellow with a depth of expertise in natural hazard management, and the ability to contribute to a broad research agenda that promotes disaster-resilient development of those communities. The geographic scope of research will be the mountain areas of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

- In collaboration with DRMI and MSRC colleagues, refine a research agenda that targets the particular challenges and opportunities of Central Asian mountain societies with regard to natural hazards and disaster risk management.
- In collaboration with DRMI and MSRC colleagues, develop research proposals that are particularly relevant to hazards and risk management in Central Asian mountain societies and that include strategic applied outputs.
- With assistance from UCA and DRMI resource mobilization staff, identify appropriate funding opportunities and submit proposals for external funding.
- Carry out externally-funded research.
- Publish peer-reviewed and other academic outputs as well as applied outputs targeted at other audiences.
- Communicate the significance of mountain hazards and risk management research to academic and other audiences through conferences, workshops, and other public events.
- Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Experience

- PhD in relevant field (an MSc is acceptable as long as the Fellow intends to continue for a PhD)
- Depth of knowledge in physical and/or social science dimensions of mountain hazards and risk management in Central Asia.
- Knowledge of issues relevant to Central Asian mountain societies
- A commitment to conducting research in/on mountainous areas of Central Asia
- Excellent language skills (written and oral) in English and Russian. Knowledge of Tajik / Kyrgyz / Kazakh is an asset.
- Applicants from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan are strongly encouraged to apply.