Location: Delhi / Remote
Engagement: Contract or Consultancy
Duration: 6–12 months, renewable
Remuneration: Competitive and commensurate with experience, expertise and prevailing market standards
Application deadline: August 15, 2026 — applications reviewed on a rolling basis

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Use geospatial AI to understand land-use change and community impact

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 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.

Land Conflict Watch (LCW) and NutGraph Social Data Lab are seeking a Geospatial & Machine Learning Researcher to lead the geospatial components of a portfolio of collaborative research projects.

The work is being undertaken in collaboration with researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Human-Inspired AI (CHIA), the MIT Renewable Energy Clinic, and other partner institutions.

We are building AI-assisted geospatial evidence bases to help India’s energy transition learn from past land-use conflicts associated with renewable energy, infrastructure and industrial development. The research will focus particularly on:

• Land-use and landscape change
• Governance and use of common property resources
• Community dependence on shared landscapes
• Social and environmental impacts of development projects
• Connections between spatial change and land-related conflict

The opportunity

This role brings together remote sensing, machine learning, computer vision and socially grounded research.

You will develop scalable and reproducible methods for land-use classification, change detection and landscape analysis. You will also help integrate satellite-based analysis with participatory mapping and LCW’s conflict documentation.

The position offers an opportunity to work on high-impact, interdisciplinary research with teams spanning technology, land governance, energy transition and community rights.

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Key responsibilities

Satellite data acquisition and processing

• Identify and acquire suitable satellite imagery and time-series datasets, including Sentinel, Landsat, Google Earth and other relevant sources.
• Assess the spatial and temporal resolution required to study land-use change around renewable energy, infrastructure and industrial projects.
• Pre-process imagery and develop analysis-ready datasets for modelling and interpretation.
• Establish efficient systems for managing large geospatial datasets.

Machine learning and land-use classification

• Design, train and validate machine learning models for land-use and land-cover classification.
• Develop training datasets, annotation standards and labelling protocols.
• Evaluate model accuracy and iteratively improve classification performance.
• Explore deep-learning and computer-vision approaches where appropriate.

Change detection and landscape analysis

• Develop methods to detect and quantify land-use change before and after project development.
• Identify commons and other socially significant landscape features using geospatial and field-informed evidence.
• Analyse changes in the extent, condition and accessibility of community resources over time.
• Integrate participatory mapping to document community dependence on common resources.
• Examine relationships between spatial change, project development and land-related conflict.
• Build reproducible workflows that can be applied across locations and projects.

Integration and research outputs

• Integrate geospatial findings with LCW’s conflict database.
• Support the development of interactive maps, dashboards and visualisation platforms.
• Clearly document datasets, methodologies, modelling decisions and analytical workflows.
• Contribute to technical reports, research publications and other project outputs.
• Work closely with LCW’s conflict documentation team and researchers from partner institutions.

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What we are looking for

Essential qualifications and experience

• Demonstrated experience in satellite-image analysis and land-use or land-cover classification using machine learning.
• Strong proficiency in Python and geospatial libraries.
• Practical experience with Google Earth Engine or an equivalent cloud-based geospatial platform.
• Experience working with multi-temporal satellite imagery, including Sentinel, Landsat and/or commercial imagery.
• Ability to develop structured, reproducible and well-documented analytical workflows.
• A strong interest in applying geospatial technology to questions of land governance, commons and the social and environmental impacts of infrastructure and development.

Desirable experience

• Experience with deep learning or computer vision for geospatial analysis.
• Experience designing training datasets and image-labelling protocols.
• Familiarity with participatory GIS or community-based mapping.
• Experience integrating geospatial outputs with databases, web maps or interactive visualisation platforms.
• Publications, open-source contributions or substantial project experience in remote sensing, geospatial AI or related fields.
• Previous research on land, energy transition, infrastructure, environmental change or community resource governance.

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Why join this project?

• Apply advanced geospatial and machine-learning methods to an important public-interest research challenge.
• Lead technically demanding work with real-world policy and community relevance.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary network of researchers and institutions.
• Help build scalable evidence systems for understanding the land and social dimensions of India’s energy transition.
• Contribute to research outputs, analytical tools and methodologies with the potential for wider application.
• Be part of a fun, ambitious team that values great ideas, flexibility and a collaborative work environment.

How to apply

Please email contact@nutgraph.in with the subject line:

Application for Geospatial & Machine Learning Researcher

Your application should include:

1. A brief note explaining your interest in the role and why you would be a strong fit.
2. Your current CV or résumé.
3. Links to relevant code repositories, publications, portfolios or project outputs, wherever applicable, included in the cover letter / CV.
4. A short description of one remote-sensing, geospatial or machine-learning project that you led or significantly contributed to. Please briefly explain:
   
   • The research or practical problem
   • The datasets and methods used
   • Your specific contribution
   • The principal outcome or learning

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until August 15, 2026. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Help us build geospatial evidence that can make India’s energy transition more informed, equitable and responsive to communities.

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Land Conflict Watch is expanding its conflict database to document coastal and marine conflicts across India to inform conflict-sensitive planning of emerging sectors such as offshore wind energy and other coastal development.We are inviting researchers, journalists, lawyers, social scientists and academics to contribute documented cases of coastal resource conflicts from West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Daman & Diu, and Andaman & Nicobar islands. This is a part-time, paid opportunity.

‍What kinds of coastal conflicts are we looking for?

‍We are looking to document community-linked resource conflict cases triggered by, but not limited to:infrastructure, industrial and urban coastal development, fisheries, aquaculture, ports, renewable energy, offshore oil and gas, tourism, conservation, blue economy initiatives, pollution, city and beach beautification, coastal protection, fisheries and governance, tourism, climate adaptation, land acquisition, displacement, environmental degradation, and other activities that affect coastal and marine commons, communities, ecosystems, livelihoods, or governance. The data will be used to inform stakeholders to mitigate risks of conflicts and work on conflict-sensitive planning.‍

How can you help?

‍We are looking for collaborators who can support us by:Identifying coastal or marine conflicts that should be included in the database.Documenting conflicts on the Land Conflict Watch database.Connecting us with local organisations, researchers, or community members working on these issues.

‍Apply if this is for you:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in journalism, social sciences, law, environmental studies, geography, development studies and allied disciplines
• Have excellent research skills and experience in reporting on environmental or socio-economic issues.
• Some experience in research on coastal ecosystems -  coastal commons, livelihoods, fisheries, marine and coastal governance, or blue economy
• Have excellent writing, editing and communication skills in English Proficiency in at least one of the coastal-region languages is a strong advantage
• Comfort working in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced research environment

To apply, please fill out this application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfW4M7Z9hBjs7fP2Mm_VSoNmorm_WClkNl8z6yAJT6FV7HLgg/viewform

‍The first phase of this project will run during July and September 2026. To be considered for the first round of research assignments, please submit your application by 12 July 2026.Applications received after 12 July will be reviewed on a rolling basis as we continue to build a long-term network of researchers to support the growth of the Land Conflict Watch database.

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.

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.

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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.

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
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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. 
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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‍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 

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