Applicants invited for PhD research position: Urban form and Low-Carbon Cities

Applicants invited for PhD research position: Urban form and Low-Carbon Cities

Project description: We aim to undertake spatial computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling of urban systems to study the relationship between urban form and climate impacts of cities. The application deals with the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, and is part of an international project involving also the cities of Amsterdam, Gothenburg and Istanbul. The project will study policies that foster a transition towards prosperous low-carbon cities, taking into account urban form and spatial interactions, such as mobility of consumers, freight and business transport by firms, and commuting by workers. More information is available in a detailed project proposal that can be sent upon request.

Tasks: The PhD student would have to cooperate in developing the model under the leadership of the Amsterdam team. His/her core task would be adapting the model to the context and institutional challenges of the Barcelona area, as well as use it in simulations and policy analyses.

Conditions: The position is for a period of three years, and will be part of the research group on Environmental and Climate Economics under the leadership of Professor Jeroen van den Bergh. The potential starting date is September 2016.

Requirements: Suitable candidates have, or are about to finish, a Master degree in economics. Interest in, or experience with, modelling and programming is appreciated.

Contact: Prof. dr. J. van den Bergh, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,  Spain; jeroen.bergh@uab.es; +34-93-586-8773. Informal contact by email to indicate potential interest is welcomed.