Offer Description:
Two postdoctoral positions at ICTA-UAB
- 3- or 4-year contract depending on the position, with a 6-month probational period.
- Salary: 35.000€ gross annual salary
- Starting date: June-September of 2024.
Positions:
We are seeking applications for outstanding postdoctoral researchers to work with us in two exciting international collaboration projects.
Position 1:
This position is with the MAPS project (Models, Assessment & Policies for Sustainability). It is a four-year position and requires knowledge of Integrated Assessment Modelling. The MAPS project focuses on broadening the range of scenarios to achieve high levels of human wellbeing while limiting climate change and protecting biodiversity. The position will be under the supervision of Dr Aljosa Slamersak, supported by Dr Jason Hickel.
Expected tasks:
- Contribute to the design of post-growth scenarios of climate mitigation and energy transition that will be submitted for inclusion in the next IPCC and IPBES assessment reports.
- Collaborate in the development of an IAM that can represent relationships between economic output, human development, energy and resource use, and environmental impacts, and which can integrate policy interventions that can deliver equitable access to essential goods and services for all.
- Contribute to the development of pathways for North-South convergence, enabling the attainment of high levels of human wellbeing for everyone within the planetary boundaries.
Position 2:
This position is with the REAL project (A Post-Growth Deal), and will collaborate with the MAPS project. It is a three-year position and requires advanced modelling skills. The REAL project explores the pathways, policies and politics that can enable a successful post-growth transition. Previous modelling experience in the field of ecological economics is desirable. Experience with stock-flow consistent models, agent-based modelling, social metabolism, or input-output models will be valued. The position will be under the supervision of Dr Jason Hickel.
Expected tasks:
- Collaborate in the design of policies for a post-growth deal (such as a job guarantee, universal public services, working-time reduction, ending unequal exchange).
- Contribute to the development of an ecological macro-economic model, with the objective of assessing the impact of post-growth policies both nationally and internationally.
- Collaborate in other modelling projects in the REAL team, including the IAM modelling of climate mitigation scenarios.
For both positions, excellent knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Spanish or Catalan will be valued. Expertise in quantitative research methods and programming is required.
Both positions will be hosted at ICTA-UAB. The candidates will work in close collaboration with the REAL project teams at ICTA-UAB and the University of Lausanne (led by Jason Hickel, Giorgos Kallis and Julia Steinberger), and in collaboration with the MAPS project team at the University of Barcelona (led by Daniel W. O’Neill and Federico Demaria). Candidates are expected to live and work in the Barcelona area. They will be primarily based at UAB, but also spend some time working with the modelling team at UB (e.g. one day per week). Successful candidates will also be supported in conducting a research stay at one of the other leading modelling teams in Europe.
Application Requirements:
The successful candidates will hold a PhD in Ecological/Environmental Economics, Energy Economics, or another field involving the modelling of environment and society. We seek candidates who have previous experience with Integrated Assessment Models, or heterodox economic models (e.g., ecological macro-economic models, models of social metabolism, agent-based models, and stock-flow consistent models); who have a good grounding in post-growth and degrowth scholarship, and who are prepared to work on climate mitigation scenarios and modelling post-growth policy implementation. Experience with programming is required. Experience with Input-Output modelling techniques is desirable but not required. Expertise related to the climate and land-use impacts associated with economic production, inequalities, and different lifestyles is also desirable but not required.
- Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Spanish or Catalan will be valued but is not required.
- Track record of research publications.
- The successful candidate will have ability and commitment to work both independently and collaboratively as part of the interdisciplinary teams of the REAL and MAPS projects.
- The full-time positions will be based in Barcelona. Successful candidates will be supported in their travel to conferences and presentations.
- Ability to create and contribute to a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research environment.
- The REAL and MAPS projects are committed to advancing the careers of junior women researchers, and researchers from under-represented backgrounds, who are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply:
Deadline: March 18th 2024
Start date: June-September 2024 (Successful candidates are expected to take part in the kick-off of the MAPS project that will take place in Pontevedra, Spain between June 14th and June 17th.
Salary: Approximately €35,000 per year
How to apply: Please submit your CV, transcripts from previous degrees, and a motivation letter to Dr Aljoša Slameršak at postgrowth.call@gmail.com by March 18th, 2024, 23:59 CET. The subject of your email should be: “Application for a postdoctoral position on post-growth scenarios”. In your motivation letter, identify one of the major research gaps in existing sustainability literature, and include a brief research outline of a post-growth IAM (MAPS post-doctoral position) or an ecological macro-economic model (REAL post-doc position) that could address this gap. The proposal should have a of maximum 1000 words.
Online interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held in the first week of April 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be asked for two reference letters.
