Deadline: until filled 09-2023

Research Scholar - Integrated Assessment Modeling (carbon dioxide removal)

The within the IIASA is recruiting a research scholar in Integrated Assessment Modeling with an emphasis on Carbon Dioxide Removal.

background

The ECE Program at IIASA is one of the world’s leading global Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM) teams, and seeks to deepen the understanding of rapid, just, and feasible systems transformations toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Interdisciplinary teams within ECE use these and complementary methods to study trade-offs and synergies between multiple policy priorities and objectives, typically across multiple sectors and scales (global, regional, national and subnational). ECE’s scientific outputs inform international and national policy efforts related to climate change (e.g., implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement) and sustainable development (e.g., pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals).

In this context, we seek a strong candidate to investigate the role of different novel and conventional Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) approaches. Emphasis will be on interactions of CDR options and possible trade-offs with other societal objectives, as well as implications in term of climate response, carbon trading, and the policy implementation thereof. The successful candidate will work with a team of international scientists to further develop the IAM framework and in particular the open source model as part of their contributions to the and projects, among others. The objective of the research is to inform international policy efforts, such as those related to the Paris Agreement or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assess synergies and trade-offs between them.

tasks and responsibilities

Contribute to the development of key tools used by the ECE program, including at least one of the following:
- simple climate models like FaIR and OSCAR and further enhance their representation of CDR
- the MESSAGEix-GLOBIOM model, the open source modeling framework, and related software tools and data sets.
Analyze existing carbon markets and develop frameworks for different market configurations in the context of a linked integrated economic and climate integrated model.
Investigate, prepare, and analyze integrated assessment model scenario campaigns in conjunction with senior researchers within the IACC research group.
Develop and document version-controlled collaborative modeling code that allows to re-process data and analyze datasets and model results.
Maintain and disseminate relevant datasets according to FAIR data principles.
Publish relevant results in peer-reviewed journals and actively engage in dissemination efforts such as scientific conferences and workshops, stakeholder and policy events.
Contribute to ongoing and future projects and related deliverables, reports, stakeholder communication and capacity building activities.

In line with the team spirit that prevails at IIASA, the incumbent may occasionally work on other tasks assigned by their superiors, that might not be directly related to this appointment but where the post holder has relevant experience and skills, and/or a shortage of immediate personnel capabilities requires such.

skills, qualifications and experience

PhD degree or a master's degree combined with relevant research experience in a field related to integrated assessment modeling including economics, engineering, physics, environmental science or energy systems with at least one of the following qualifications.

Experience with specific domain knowledge on negative emission technologies, carbon dioxide removal, simple climate models, or carbon markets is an asset.
Demonstrated experience in tools and systems used by the ECE program (cf. ) including
- Experience in a modern programming language, preferably Python, is essential.
- Experience with operating simple climate models is an asset.
- Experience with an optimization framework (e.g., GAMS, pyomo, JuMP, etc.) is an asset.
- Experience with integrated assessment modeling is an asset.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to open-source projects, data provision and code-development, using Git and GitHub.
Demonstrated ability to develop, collaborate on, and publish scientific research through peer-reviewed publications.
A degree of flexibility and willingness to travel.
Fluency in English and excellent presentation skills.
IIASA offers an interdisciplinary and international workplace, and the possibility to interact with researchers of different nationalities, with strong ties to a world-wide network of research institutions engaged in environmental systems research. The successful candidate must be able to work in, and have respect for, an intercultural environment, and .

appointment terms

The successful candidate should be available to take up the position as soon as possible in 2023. We offer an initial fixed-term, full-time employment contract for one year, with the possibility for extension thereafter. Eligible applicants wishing to work part-time hours may be considered.

Duties will be carried out at the IIASA premises in Laxenburg, near Vienna in Austria (up to 100 days per year home office working within Austria possible).

The successful candidate will be appointed in accordance with the .

We offer

A gross annual, full-time salary of minimum:

EUR 36,875.00 for R1 Researchers
EUR 48,050.00 for R2 Research Scholars

IIASA salaries are exempt from income tax in Austria and negotiable, based on the qualifications, skills and experience of the selected individual.

In addition, IIASA salaries are:

Subject to deductions for health insurance and/or social security.
Not directly comparable with other employers in Austria, due to the unique legal status and privileges granted to IIASA.
Subject to the principle of income aggregation (Progressionsvorbehalt in German).

OTHER BENEFITS

Educational subsidies for children of school age enrolled in private schools in Austria.
A generous annual leave entitlement.
Moving and settlement allowances and paid home leave for employees in scientific and professional categories hired from international locations.
The possibility to work up to 100 days per year in home office (within Austria)
Assistance for newcomers to Austria with visa, work and residency permit applications.
Support finding accommodation in Austria.

Further details .

About IIASA

IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce. This is reflected in our . We encourage qualified candidates from all religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply. In the case that candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to applicants from countries where IIASA has a .

Further Information

For further information about this opportunity please contact:

Senior Research Scholar, ECE
or
, Program Director, ECE

For general information about working at IIASA, please contact:

Applications

To apply for this opportunity, you will need to provide the following documents in English:

A cover letter outlining your motivation for and fit to the position
A detailed Curriculum Vitae
An example of an existing software (coding) project or application, and the names and contact details of two work-related reference persons.

The names, addresses (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of two reference givers.

Review of applications will begin imediately.

Deadline for receipt of applications: until filled

IIASA

About Us

New Jobs

Research Scholar - Integrated Assessment Modeling (carbon dioxide removal)