PhD STUDENTSHIPS in water law, Univ. Dundee
May 28, 2008.
THE UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE
UNESCO CENTRE FOR WATER LAW, POLICY AND SCIENCE
PhD STUDENTSHIPS in water law
Applications are invited for up to four fully funded PhD Studentships
in Water Law within the Dundee UNESCO HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy
and Science, part of the Graduate School of Management and Policy
(College of Arts & Social Sciences). This interdisciplinary research
centre is the only UNESCO Centre in the UK and the first of its kind in
the world. The core mission of the UNESCO Centre is to develop a new
generation of local water leaders, primarily through research excellence
and its innovative “Water Law, Water Leaders” graduate programme.
In line with UNESCO and its IHP-HELP programme, the Dundee UNESCO
Centre works to assist national governments to meet their Millennium
Development Goals and to implement integrated responses to river-basin
issues, within and beyond national borders.
The UNESCO Centre has established a series of research clusters in the
areas of water law, policy and science. In the specific area of water
law we have developed three separate but inter-connected research theme
groupings: (i) international water law (public international law); (ii)
comparative national water law, and (iii) regulation of water services
law.
At least one studentship / research associate post will be offered
within each of these clusters, with the fourth likely to fall within the
area of public international water law.
Applicants must have, or expect to obtain, a first class or high upper
second class honours degree in law and be able to show commitment to
pursuing postgraduate research. A Masters degree (preferably in law or
economics; or in a relevant discipline) would be highly desirable.
Each post will be linked to one of the above-noted water law research
clusters and the successful candidate will be expected to support
research-related activities at the UNESCO Centre, including, inter alia,
providing research on specific topics; assisting with graduate teaching
(including international students); assisting with curriculum and
programme development; assisting with projects; assisting with
international meetings and conferences. There will be a focus on
assisting to implement the new and innovative “Water Law, Water
Leaders” graduate programme (in Dundee and abroad). Good team-work
skills, including the ability to engage and work within an
interdisciplinary environment, as well as strong research capabilities,
are essential qualifications. A working knowledge of languages in
addition to English is desirable (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French,
Portuguese; Spanish; Russian).
Research topics in each of the clusters include:
International water law - the normative content of the rules of
international law that govern transboundary waters (i.e., equity;
conflict prevention; state responsibility); the role and relevance of
the 1997 UN Watercourses Convention in strengthening international
watercourse agreements; legal frameworks for managing Europe's
international watercourses; legal issues related to water security;
legal issues related to climate change, including managing floods and
droughts;
Comparative National Water law -- ensuring effective governance
implementation; security of supply in the context of increasing
scarcity; implementation of enforceable water rights; the role of law in
achieving IWRM especially within the UNESCO HELP approach; stakeholder
involvement; water markets;
Regulation of water services -- the legal aspects of regulation /
control of publicly owned utilities, public-private participation,
governance, international investment in water services;
As these are fully funded PhD Studentships, the programme fee
s of
£12,500 / annum will be paid, and in addition the successful candidates
will receive a stipend of £12,500 / annum. Awards are made initially
for
one year, but will be renewed for a second year, subject to
satisfactory performance during the first year. They will be renewed for
a third year, provided the student has been upgraded to full PhD status.
This highly competitive PhD studentship offers an exciting opportunity
for future academic leaders. It is anticipated that the successful
candidates will begin their studies in September 2008.
Applications:
To apply for this PhD studentship candidates must submit a covering
letter indicating why they wish to be considered; a sample of academic
writing; their proposed research topic; and a completed standard
application for entry as a PhD candidate at the UNESCO Centre,
University of Dundee.
Additional details of research currently being undertaken by staff may
be found at: www.dundee.ac.uk/waterlaw
Initial enquiries may be addressed to Professor Patricia Wouters,
Director, Email: p.k.wouters@dundee.ac.uk.
Closing Date: The deadline for completed applications is 20 June 2008.
Successful candidates will notified by 1 August 2008, with an expected
start date of 1 October 2008. Interviews will be by meeting / telephone
/ Skype.
The University of Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and
welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
The University of Dundee is a registered Scottish charity, No: SC015096
