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Research Associate – Coastal Systems

NATURE OF JOB: Full-time

LOCATION: New Delhi / Hybrid (with field travel across coastal regions of India)

DURATION OF CONTRACT: 12 months (renewable based on organisational needs and performance)

WHO CAN APPLY:
Researchers and practitioners with demonstrated experience working on India’s coastal commons and resource governance, coastal communities, Blue Economy–related policies, and those comfortable working across field-based qualitative research, data analysis, and spatial thinking.

REMUNERATION: Competitive and commensurate with experience, skills, and aptitude.

DEADLINE:  08 February 2026

ABOUT US

NutGraph Social Data Lab supports organisations and institutions in identifying trends, informing policies, and advancing actionable research. We collect and aggregate micro-level field data and translate it into evidence-based insights. Our flagship and award-winning initiative Land Conflict Watch (LCW) is India’s leading public database and research platform on land and natural-resource governance. LCW’s work is widely cited by academia, policymakers, media, and civil society, and has shaped national and international conversations on land use, commons, and development planning.

JOB PURPOSE

This role will contribute to NutGraph and LCW’s growing body of research on coastal ecosystems and the blue economy. It involves building robust datasets, conducting community-based research, and using spatial analysis to generate policy-relevant insights.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

  • Contribute to the design and execution of research on coastal commons, coastal livelihoods, and their intersection with Blue Economy activities
  • Build and manage structured datasets using NutGraph’s in-house research tools and frameworks, drawing from public records, policy documents, project reports, judicial records, and secondary literature
  • Design and conduct field-based research and participatory mapping exercises with coastal communities
  • Work with all stakeholders in the Blue Economy including business, community organisations  and civil-society partners
  • Contribute to spatial and risk-informed analysis by integrating field insights with maps, plans, and other spatial datasets.

APPLY IF THIS IS YOU

  • Have completed a PhD focused on coastal ecosystems– coastal commons, livelihoods, fisheries, marine and coastal governance, or blue economy
    OR
  • Have a postgraduate degree in social sciences, environmental studies, geography, development economics, planning,  or allied disciplines and 3–6 years of experience working on coastal ecosystems– coastal commons and livelihoods, fisheries, marine or coastal governance, or blue economy
  • Demonstrated ability to work with both qualitative field data and structured datasets
  • Willingness to travel and work closely with communities in diverse coastal contexts

SKILLS THAT WILL BOOST YOUR CHANCES

  • Experience with participatory mapping, community-led research, or ethnographic methods
  • Working knowledge of GIS or spatial analysis, or experience collaborating closely with GIS/data teams.
  • Familiarity with India’s coastal regulation, fisheries governance, or blue-economy policy landscape
  • You are self-driven, organised, and have ability to independently manage projects, research timelines and coordinate fieldwork
  • Comfort working in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced research environment
  • Proficiency in at least one of the coastal-region languages is a strong advantage

TO APPLY

Please fill out the application form (https://forms.gle/MBw7pRqvAMfwGKFY8)


Keep an updated CV and cover letter ready and follow the instructions carefully.

NutGraph Social Data Lab (Land Conflict Watch) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, or class. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Data Associate – Land & Natural Resources

NATURE OF JOB: Full-time

LOCATION: Remote/New Delhi

DURATION OF CONTRACT: Six-month contract (renewable)

WHO CAN APPLY: Researchers or journalists with demonstrable experience in working with socio-economic and environmental data surrounding land, livelihood and natural-resource governance.  

REMUNERATION: Competitive and commensurate with experience, skills, and aptitude

DEADLINE: 08 February 2026

WHO WE ARE:

NutGraph Social Data Lab supports organisations and institutions in identifying trends, informing policies, and advancing actionable research. We collect and aggregate micro-level field data and translate it into evidence-based insights. Our flagship initiative Land Conflict Watch (LCW) is India’s leading public database and research platform on land and natural-resource governance. LCW’s work is widely cited by academia, policymakers, media, and civil society, and has shaped national and international conversations on land use, commons, and development planning.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Data Associate – Land & Natural Resources will assist Database Lead in collecting and reviewing data about natural resource conflicts in India and work with other interdisciplinary teams within the organisation to use this data in research projects.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

  • Conduct primary review of data reports of ongoing land conflicts, which involves fact-checking all parameters and editing summary for each case study. You can see a sample of a land conflict report here.
  • Maintain the existing database of land conflict reports. This will include reviewing all existing conflict case studies in our database and updating them to ensure the information is up-to-date.
  • Help LCW researchers with data to aid their on-ground research.
  • Prepare dataset as requested by third parties under NutGraph’s Data Sharing policy.

APPLY FOR THIS IF YOU:

  • Have a Master’s/Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or social sciences and at least two years of experience in conducting research or reporting on environmental or socio-economic issues.
  • Have excellent writing, editing and communication skills in English (Proficiency in any other language spoken in India would be preferred.)
  • Have basic knowledge of data analysis and data interpretation.
  • Have the ability to pay attention to details and fact-check information.
  • Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines.

SKILLS THAT’LL BOOST YOUR CHANCES:

  • Ability to work with big datasets and conduct qualitative and quantitative research.  You are self driven, take initiative and are on top of news about relevant developments around natural resources.
  • You have experience in fact-checking journalistic work or research reports.
  • You are self-driven, organised, and able to work independently.

To apply: Fill up this form- https://forms.gle/uCAxAaDn1HtZQN526

Keep an updated CV, cover letter and work samples ready. Please carefully follow the instructions in the form before submitting the cover letter and work samples.

NutGraph Social Data Lab is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race or class. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Legal Research Fellow

Call for Applications for Legal Research Fellow at Land Conflict Watch

NATURE OF JOB: Full time, Short term contract 

LOCATION: New Delhi

DURATION OF CONTRACT:  6 months (renewable)

WHO CAN APPLY:  Lawyers  with demonstrable experience in conducting research involving  laws, policies, and quantitative and qualitative data  around land, environment and natural-resource governance.  

REMUNERATION: Competitive payment based on experience, skills and aptitude 

DEADLINE: 12 September 2025

WHO WE ARE:  Land Conflict Watch (LCW) is an award-winning, multidisciplinary research agency that generates data and insights from the field to address systemic issues underlying natural-resource governance, climate change and environment. It has built the country’s first and the largest database of ongoing land disputes, mapping data from over 1000 sites in the country, in which the public is contesting changes in land use or ownership. LCW’s research goes out in many forms, including research reports, policy briefs, newsletters, blogs and social media posts. 

JOB PURPOSE: As a fellow, you will contribute to impactful research projects focused on land and natural resource conflicts, gaining valuable experience at the intersection of law, policy, and social justice.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

  • Conduct legal research for various ongoing projects. This includes analysis of legal and technical documents including court orders, Social Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment reports, as well as legislations and policies related to land governance.
  • Conduct data collection for ongoing research projects related to land conflicts. This includes filing RTI requests, tracking court cases and  communicating with affected parties. 
  • Aid in legal review of ongoing land conflicts, which involves conducting an independent analysis of applicable laws and policy for each land conflict.
  • Contribute to the  research on other works of LCW including monthly newsletters, policy briefs etc.

 

APPLY IF THIS IS YOU:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Law.
  • 1–2 years of experience in litigation or legal research with research organizations/think tanks preferred.
  • Fresh graduates may apply if they have completed internships or academic projects related to land governance, land legislations, or environmental issues.
  • Have excellent writing and communication skills in English. (Proficiency in any other language spoken in India would be preferred.)

SKILLS THAT’LL BOOST YOUR CHANCES:

  • Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines
  •  You are self driven, take initiative and are on top of news about relevant policy developments. 


To apply: Fill up this form.

Keep an updated CV,and cover letter  ready. Please carefully follow the instructions in the form before submitting the cover letter and CV. Last date: September 12, 2025 

Land Conflict Watch is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race or class. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For any queries, please write to anindita@landconflictwatch.org