Thematic Project - Evictions Observatory: Interdisciplinary Dimensions of Risk in Times of Climate Change and Housing Crisis
The Laboratory for Public Space and the Right to the City (LabCidade FAUUSP) is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to develop the research “Evictions and forced displacements: new urban dynamics from the mobilization of "risk" as a territorial restructuring device”. This is a FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship linked to the project “Evictions Observatory: Interdisciplinary Dimensions of Risk in Times of Climate Change and Housing Crisis”, coordinated by Professor Raquel Rolnik. The project is supported by the FAPESP Thematic Research Grant (2023/12851-7) and will be hosted by the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the University of São Paulo.
1. About the Project and the Position
The Thematic Project aims to launch a new phase of the Evictions Observatory, which has been identifying, mapping, and analyzing threats, evictions, and forced displacements of individuals and groups in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area for over a decade. This new phase addresses theoretical and methodological challenges in identifying, sizing, and characterizing territories and groups threatened with eviction due to being at "risk," as well as conceptually developing "risk" as a socioterritorial intervention device within the context of intersecting environmental and housing crises. The research to be conducted by the postdoctoral fellow arises from the need to identify populations and territories considered "at risk" and therefore potentially subject to displacement in times of climate change and housing crises.
1.1 General Objectives:
Identification, Characterization, and Measurement: Identify, characterize, and measure populations and territories "at risk," with support from a multidisciplinary team and a multiscalar perspective on urban dynamics that evict and displace threatened populations.
Identification of Agents and Processes: Identify and characterize agents and processes that evict and displace "at-risk" populations in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region through field research and theoretical and empirical analyses of current urban dynamics.
Dissemination of Results: Maintain and feed permanent means of disseminating partial research results, fostering dialogue between academia, affected communities, and organized civil society networks and public authorities.
1.2 Specific Objectives:
Team Integration and Management: Integrate and manage the multidisciplinary research team, articulating LabCidade's technical training, direct doctoral, and scientific initiation fellows with the principal researchers' teams.
Methodological Coordination: Coordinate research methodologies, including articulation between theory, data collection, and field research.
2. Profile and Requirements for Application
Brazilian and foreign candidates can apply. LabCidade encourages applications from individuals who identify as women, Black people, Indigenous people, peripheral communities, and LGBTQIA+.
The candidate must have expertise in one or more of the following areas: urbanism, territorial planning, public policy management; urban law; and experience in coordinating interdisciplinary teams.
2.1 Candidate Requirements:
Comply with the FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship Program guidelines, which include:
Holding a PhD awarded no more than seven years prior.
Having an excellent academic and postgraduate record.*
(*) FAPESP will make the final evaluation and decision on awarding the fellowship to the selected candidate. Evaluation criteria include the candidate's educational background in relation to the proposed project, quality and consistency of scientific output, international research experience, and additional details included in the FAPESP Curriculum Summary (see #3 Application).
Devote full-time dedication to the research. The selected fellow cannot receive remuneration from another source, except under conditions established by FAPESP Resolution No. 13/2009.
Adhere to the postdoctoral program regulations at the University of São Paulo.
Be available for on-site work at LabCidade (located at FAU-USP, Cidade Universitária, Butantã Campus, São Paulo, Brazil).
Advanced proficiency in Portuguese will be an advantage.
Advanced proficiency in Spanish or English will be an advantage.
3. Application
Interested candidates should submit their application via Google Forms by May 7th, 2025, including the following documents:
FAPESP Curriculum Summary following the required model.
Graduate transcripts (Master’s and PhD).
A cover letter of up to 5,000 characters outlining their interest in the project and relevant skills.
The selected candidate's documentation will be submitted to FAPESP, which will decide whether to award the fellowship.
Postdoctoral Fellowship value (PD-BR): R$ 12,000.00
