Postdoctoral Researcher in Input–Output Analysis and Ecological Macroeconomics

We are looking for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher with expertise in input–output analysis to contribute to a new Horizon Europe research project entitled Models, Assessment, and Policies for Sustainability (MAPS). This is a 2-year position based at the University of Barcelona, starting September 2024, with the possibility of an extension for an additional two years.

The position: The postdoctoral researcher will conduct research to understand the resource use and labour requirements of achieving a good life for all people within planetary boundaries, and help develop a novel ecological macroeconomic model that includes a wide range of indicators of human well-being and environmental sustainability (such as those in the “Doughnut” of social and planetary boundaries).

Essential — The successful candidate will have:

• A PhD in an area such as ecological economics, sustainability science, natural/social sciences, feminist economics, or a related field. Completion of a PhD by the start date of the contract is a requirement for the position
• A track record of relevant research publications in internationally recognised journals
• Expertise in input–output analysis (in particular, environmentally-extended input–output analysis)
• Experience in computer programming (e.g. one or more languages such as Python, R, Julia, etc.)
• Motivation and initiative to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Fluency in English
  
  

Desirable — The successful candidate may have:

• Experience with ecological macroeconomic models or other computer simulation models of the economy
• Expertise in additional quantitative research methods (e.g. system dynamics, machine learning, econometrics, advanced statistics, big data, material flows analysis, etc.)
• Knowledge of post-growth research topics (e.g. human well-being, provisioning systems, gender studies, the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries, etc.)
• Proficiency in Spanish and/or Catalan

Note that we do not expect a single candidate to know all these areas. We strongly value motivation for learning new skills.

The position will be based in the Faculty of Economics, at the University of Barcelona (Spain), under the supervision of Dr Daniel O’Neill and Dr Federico Demaria.

How to apply: Please submit your CV, a 1-page cover letter, and a 1-page research proposal to Dr Daniel O’Neill and Dr Federico Demaria at ecoeco.recruitment@gmail.com by 25 June, 23:59 CET. The subject of your email should be: “Application for Postdoc Position in Input–Output Analysis and Ecological Macroeconomics”. 

Within your 1-page cover letter, please indicate how your skills and experience match the essential/desirable specifications listed above. Within your 1-page proposal, please discuss how you would go about quantifying the resource use and labour requirements of a good life.

Please ask two referees to submit reference letters for you to ecoeco.reference@gmail.com by 25 June 2024, 23:59 CET. The subject of their emails should be: “Reference for YOUR NAME”.

Deadline to apply: Tuesday, 25 June 2024, 23:59 CET
Start date of position: September 2024
Salary: €36,250 per year

Online interviews are expected to be held the first week of July 2024.

The MAPS project: There is an urgent need for a new economic paradigm that reconciles human well-being with environmental sustainability — one based on a “post-growth” approach. High-income countries must move beyond the pursuit of GDP growth as a policy goal, and instead pursue policies that improve human well-being while reducing resource use.     

The aim of the MAPS project is to broaden the range of policies, models, and assessments to help achieve sustainability, equity, and human well-being. It is a 4-year Horizon Europe research project coordinated by the University of Barcelona, with nine other partners across Europe.

The successful candidate will join one of the top groups of post-growth researchers in the world. We work closely as a team, and the successful candidate is expected to live and work in the Barcelona area. Applicants who are not willing to live and work in the Barcelona area will not be considered for this position. Barcelona is a dynamic city on the Mediterranean, with a very high quality of life. The University of Barcelona is generally regarded as the top university in Spain, and one of the best in Europe.

We are committed to advancing the careers of junior women researchers, and researchers from under-represented backgrounds, who are encouraged to apply.