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Here you can see the official announcements of job opportunities at ICTA-UAB
Postdoctoral position in Ecological Macroeconomics Modelling for a Post-Growth Deal
Offer description:
- A postdoctoral position at ICTA-UAB
- 3-year contract with a 6-month probational period.
- Salary: 35.000€ gross annual salary
- Starting date: June-September of 2024.
Project description:
We are seeking applications for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to work with us in two exciting international collaboration projects. REAL is an ERC-Synergy project that aims to explore new models of provisioning systems, policies, and politics in a post-growth direction, in which achieving universal human wellbeing is achieved within planetary boundaries – and removed from dependence on economic growth. ToBe (short for Towards a Sustainable Wellbeing Economy), is a Horizon Europe project that aims to develop integrated policies and transformative indicators for a post-growth economy.
Requirements:
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Ecological/Environmental Economics, Energy Economics, or another field involving the modelling of environment and society. Expertise in quantitative research methods and computer programming is essential. 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 also be valued. Note that we do not expect a single candidate to know all of these areas.
Other requirements:
- 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 the ability and commitment to work both independently and collaboratively as part of the interdisciplinary teams of the REAL and ToBe projects.
- The position is full-time and 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 position will be hosted at ICTA-UAB, under the supervision of Dr Jason Hickel, but the candidate will also spend some time working with the modelling team at the University de Barcelona (one day per week). The candidates will work in close collaboration with the REAL project team at ICTA-UAB and the University of Lausanne (led by Jason Hickel, Giorgos Kallis and Julia Steinberger), and in collaboration with the ToBe project team at the University of Barcelona (led by Daniel W. O’Neill and Federico Demaria). Successful candidate will be supported in conducting a research stay at one of the other leading modelling teams in Europe, if they so desire.
We are committed to advancing the careers of junior women researchers, and researchers from under-represented backgrounds, who are encouraged to apply.
Expected tasks:
- Collaborate on 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 of the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries, with the objective of assessing the impact of post-growth policies both nationally and internationally.
- 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.
How to apply:
- Deadline: Sunday, May 5th 2024, 23:59 CET
- Start date: June-September 2024 (It is desirable that successful candidates take part in the kick-off of the project that will take place in Pontevedra, Spain between June 14th and June 16th).
- Salary: Approximately €35,000 per year
How to apply: Please submit your CV, transcripts from previous degrees, and a motivation letter to Dr Jason Hickel at postgrowth.call@gmail.com by May 5th 2024, 23:59 CET. The subject of your email should be: “Application for the REAL postdoctoral position on ecological macroeconomics”. In your motivation letter we would like you to present a short outline of a research approach to address the following challenge:
One potential risk of degrowth in high-income economies is that reduced demand could inadvertently harm lower-income economies that depend on exports to high-income economies. This problem may be resolved to the extent that global South countries can re-organize production around local needs, national development, and South-South trade. This raises two questions. First, how could an existing eco-eco model (e.g., EUROGREEN) be modified to explore these dynamics in the case of a global South economy? Could it enable us to identify useful policy choices? Second, how could an international model be designed to explore the North-South dynamics in such a scenario?
The motivation letter should have a of maximum 1000 words.
Please ask two referees to submit reference letters for you directly to ecoeco.reference@gmail.com by May 5th 2024, 23:59 CET. The subject of their emails should be: “Reference for YOUR NAME for REAL position”.
Online interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held in the third or fourth weeks of May 2024.
Postdoctoral position in Integrated Assessment Modelling for Post-Growth Climate Mitigation Scenarios
Offer description:
- A postdoctoral position at ICTA-UAB
- 4-year contract with a 6-month probational period.
- Salary: 35.000€ gross annual salary
- Starting date: June-September of 2024.
Project description:
We are seeking applications for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to work with us in two exciting international collaboration projects. MAPS (short for Models, Assessment & Policies for Sustainability), is a Horizon Europe project that aims to advance the development of modelling tools in ecological economics, broaden the range of policy options, and expand the conceivable scenario space to achieve high levels of human wellbeing while limiting climate change and protecting biodiversity. REAL is an ERC-Synergy project that aims to explore new models of provisioning systems, policies, and politics in a post-growth direction, in which achieving universal human wellbeing is achieved within planetary boundaries – and removed from dependence on economic growth.
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 Modelling, who have an interest in post-growth and degrowth scholarship, and who are motivated to work on climate mitigation scenarios and modelling post-growth policy implementation. Experience with programming is required.
Other requirements:
- 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 the ability and commitment to work both independently and collaboratively as part of the interdisciplinary teams of the REAL and MAPS projects.
- The position is full-time and 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 position will be hosted at ICTA-UAB, under the supervision of Dr Aljoša Slameršak and Dr. Jason Hickel. The candidates will work in close collaboration with the REAL project team 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). Successful candidate will be supported in conducting a research stay at one of the other leading modelling teams in Europe, if they so desire.
We are committed to advancing the careers of junior women researchers, and researchers from under-represented backgrounds, who are encouraged to apply.
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 on 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.
How to apply:
- Deadline: Sunday, May 5th 2024, 23:59 CET
- Start date: June-September 2024 (It is desirable that successful candidates take part in the kick-off of the MAPS project that will take place in Pontevedra, Spain between June 14th and June 16th).
- 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 May 5th 2024, 23:59 CET. The subject of your email should be: “Application for the MAPS postdoctoral position on integrated assessment modeling”.
In your motivation letter we would like you to present a short outline of a research approach to address the following challenge:
Current IAMs do not integrate all dynamic feedbacks between the economy, environment, and society that are needed to model post-growth scenarios, and some of the assumptions in these models may not hold in post-growth scenarios. In your opinion, what are the weaknesses and strengths in existing IAMs when it comes to modelling a post-growth scenario? How would you model non-linear structural change in a post-growth scenario? Which new variables, indicators and mechanisms need to be included in a post-growth scenario to capture possible dynamics of a post-growth transition?
The motivation letter should have a of maximum 1000 words.
Please ask two referees to submit reference letters for you directly to ecoeco.reference@gmail.com by May 5th 2024, 23:59 CET. The subject of their emails should be: “Reference for YOUR NAME for MAPS position”.
Online interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held in the third or fourth weeks of May 2024.
2 Postdoctoral & 2 PhD positions on new ERC project IMBRACE
Applications are invited for two ERC (European Research Council) funded postdoctoral fellowships (4 and 5 years) and two 4-year doctoral fellowships, under the supervision of Dr. Panagiota Kotsila, as part of the 2 Million Euros ERC-CoG project IMBRACE: Embracing Immigrant Knowledges for Just Climate Health Adaptation.
The successful applicants will become core members of the IMBRACE team (which will include the Principal Investigator, 3 postdoctoral researchers, 2 PhD students, a Research Assistant, and a Communication Assistant), will be based at ICTA-UAB and work within the Barcelona Lab for Urban Environmental Justice and Sustainability group (BCNUEJ). Candidates are expected to live and work in the Barcelona area.
2 Postdoctoral positions
Offer description - summary
- Two postdoctoral positions at ICTA-UAB
- 4 or 5 year contract depending on the position, with a 6 month probational period.
- Salary: 35,000 € gross annual salary, flexible work-time, 37,5h/week
- Starting date: Sept 2024 – March 2025
Requirements
Both positions require a PhD in human geography, political ecology, medical anthropology, urban studies, or related fields, with a strong background in environmental and/or health justice. Previous work with immigrants or racialized communities will be considered a plus. Expertise in systematic literature review methodology and participatory research methodologies will also be highly valued.
We seek candidates with at least 3 years after their PhD, with a track record of research publications in high quality international academic journals and press, and with a strong commitment to collaborative, supportive, inclusive and equity-based work ethics.
For both positions, excellent knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of German, French, Greek and/or Spanish or Catalan will be highly valued.
Job description
The postdoctoral researchers will participate at a senior level in the project’s conceptual and analytical development (see abstract below), co-supervise doctoral students, and contribute to coordinating the implementation of the project’s core outcomes.
Postdoctoral research will include qualitative and participatory research methods, including participatory photography (Photovoice), Body Maps, and Climate Relief Maps, and in-depth interviews, as well as qualitative systematic literature reviews, to explore how climate-related health vulnerabilities intersect with immigration in at-risk urban areas, and how embodied knowledges and situated practices of immigrants can inform adaptation to climate related risks (see project abstract below). Successful candidates will be fully supported in their fieldwork expenses, and travel to conferences and other related events.
Specifically, for position 1 (5 years), research will focus on the impacts of heatwaves/extended heat, while for position 2 (4 years) research will focus on the impacts of flooding/extreme percipitation on health and well-being. The theme of vector-borne and water-borne disease transmission will be common and transversal for both postdocs. For each position, a 3- to 6-month fieldwork will be conducted in one of the project’s case studies (Barcelona, Athens, Dublin, Berlin, Antwerp, Marseilles). Last, selected candidates will lead the development of social vulnerability indicators, and the organization of knowledge co-production and dessimination events engaging a transdisciplinary taskforce of experts.
We encourage applications from women researchers, and researchers from under-represented backgrounds.
- Deadline for applications: April 26th 2024
- Interviews: 3rd week of May 2024
- Start date: Sept 2024 – March 2025
- Salary: Approximately €35,000 per year
How to apply
Please submit your CV, transcripts from previous degrees, and a motivation letter to PI Panagiota Kotsila (panagiota.kotsila@uab.cat) by April 26th 2024, 23:59 CET. The subject of your email should be: “Application for a postdoctoral position on Urban Climate Justice”. The motivation letter should have a of maximum 1000 words.
Online interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held during the third week of May 2024.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked for two reference letters.
2 PhD positions
Offer description - summary
- Two PhD positions at ICTA-UAB
- 4-year contracts
- Salary: 20.000€ gross annual salary
- Starting date: Oct 2024
Requirements
Both PhD positions require a first-class BSc and MSc degree (by Sept 2024) are required, in the fields of Enviornmental Studies, Public Health, Political Ecology, Urban Studies, Migration Studies, or related fields, with a strong interest and background in Environmental
and Climate justice. Previous work with immigrants or otherwise racialized communities will be considered a plus. Knowledge of methods such as literature review, interviews, focus-group discussions, participatory and visual methodologies will be highly valued.
We seek outstanding candidates with a strong academic background, willingness to work in an interdisciplinary vibrant enviornment and conduct in depth research in cities in Europe, and a strong commitment to collaborative, supportive, inclusive and equity-based work ethics.
For both positions, excellent knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of German, French, Greek and/or Spanish or Catalan will be highly valued.
Job description
PhD research will include working with qualitative and participatory research methods, including participatory photography (Photovoice), Body Maps, and Climate Relief Maps, and in-depth interviews, to explore how climate-related health vulnerabilities intersect with immigration in at-risk urban areas, and how embodied knowledges and situated practices of immigrants can inform adaptation to climate related risks (see project abstract below).
Specifically, for PhD 1, research will focus on the impacts of heatwaves/extended heat, while for PhD 2 on the impacts of flooding/extreme percipitation, on health and well-being. The theme of vector-borne and water-borne disease transmission will be common and transversal for both PhDs.
For each position, a 3- to 6-month fieldwork will be conducted in two of the project’s case studies (Barcelona, Athens, Dublin, Berlin, Antwerp, Marseilles). Selected candidates will work closely and collaborate with other team members to develop social (health) vulnerability indicators, organize knowledge co-production and dessimination events, and produce audio-visual materials for dessimination of results.
Sucessful candidates will enroll to ICTA’s excellent PhD program in Environmental Science and Technology, and will be fully supported in their fieldwork expenses, and travel to conferences and other related events.
We encourage applications from women researchers, and researchers from under-represented backgrounds.
- Deadline for applications: April 26th 2024
- Interviews: 3rd week of May 2024
- Start date: Oct 2024
- Salary: Approximately €20,000 per year
How to apply
Please submit your CV, transcripts from previous degrees, and a motivation letter where you statr why you are interested and what experience you have to address the various aspects of the project, to PI Panagiota Kotsila (panagiota.kotsila@uab.cat) by April 26th 2024, 23:59 CET. The subject of your email should be: “Application for a PhD position on Urban Climate Justice”. The motivation letter should have a of maximum 1000 words.
Online interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held during the third week of May 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be asked for two reference letters.
IMBRACE Project Abstract
Climate change, human health and immigration are arguably the most prominent, enduring, and challenging issues of our times, with important implications for justice. Studies on the nexus of these issues have largely focused on climate change as posing challenges to health and thus acting as a push-factor for migration. However, our understanding of how climate is impacting the health of immigrants in places of migration destination is still poor. Further limiting our understanding of potential climate and health injustices, immigrant communities in Europe are far from homogenous, and are often racialized groups of great ethnic diversity. In IMBRACE, we will examine what shapes immigrants’ climate health vulnerability and how their situated knowledges and practices can inform both their own response capacities and urban climate adaptation more broadly, towards more effective and just approaches. We will focus on two types of climate impacts, chosen as most relevant for urban areas in Europe and with important implications for health: (a) increased and prolonged heat, and (b) intense rainfall and flooding. We will employ a pioneering feminist political ecology approach that combines participatory ethnography, critical discourse and policy analysis, and transdisciplinary knowledge production. Focusing on 6 case-study cities in Europe we will systematically explore tangible and intangible factors and structural drivers of immigrants’ climate health vulnerability, centering and engaging with immigrants as expert knowledge-holders. Mobilizing knowledge that comes with and through immigration, we will offer an intersectional justice perspective that considers class, gender, race, ethnicity, and other axes of power and oppression when designing and assessing urban climate and health adaptation policy. This novel, comparative, and in-depth study will open new paths for research at the nexus of climate, health, and immigration, leading to a shift in how we conceptualize and research climate justice.
Please also see this publication as reference:
Kotsila, Panagiota. "9. Immigrant communities in Europe as situated knowledge holders for postcolonial and feminist urban adaptation to climate health risks". Urban Movements and Climate Change: Loss, Damage and Radical Adaptation, edited by Marco Armiero, Salvatore Paolo Rosa and Ethemcan Turhan, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2023, pp. 183-206. https://doi.org/10.1515/9789048554805-012