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 fees 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: http://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.
