Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Pisa - Selection for one research contract Research on the role of criminal and criminalized actors in transnational migration governance. Research axis: Mexico

Position: Post-doctoral research contract Institute: Sc. Sup. S. Anna Pisa
Posted on: 24/03/2026 Deadline: 27/04/2026

Scientific-Disciplinary Group

11/SDEA-01 - Demoethnoanthropological Sciences

Description

UNDERGOV (ERC Consolidator Grant) investigates how criminal organisations shape transnational migration governance. The Senior Researcher will lead the Mexico case, focusing possibly, but not exclusively, on Chihuahua and Baja California (Ciudad Juárez, Tijuana), where more restrictive U.S. asylum measures have increased forced waiting and migrants’ vulnerability. The study examines cartels’ growing control over routes and migrant smuggling, its links with deterrence practices, and the effects on violence, extortion, access to protection and migrants’ decisions (including engagement in drug transportation to manage mobility and risk). Methods combine multi-scalar ethnography, field observation and interviews with migrants, brokers, local communities, practitioners and decision-makers, with document/digital research and—where useful—mapping relationships and representations (SNA/MDA) for cross-site comparison

Compensation

33,840 Euro

Number of positions

1

Funding body

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Pisa