Modeler - agricultural production resilience
Exploratory Modeling Of Human-Natural Systems (EM) Research Group
The EM Research Group at IIASA is looking to recruit a postdoctoral scholar to join their interdisciplinary team. The successful candidate will analyze agricultural production resilience considering market projections and international trade. In addition they will support the modeling work of the the Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-Use, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium, and other projects related to land use planning.
background
The Exploratory Modeling of Human-natural Systems (EM) Research Group is one of four research groups in the IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Program. EM's mission is to produce methodological advances that will underpin IIASA research on transformations toward sustainable social-economic-environmental systems with a focus on socioeconomic complexity, integrative Earth systems models, and macro-level systems models.
About FABLE
The Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-Use, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium is a collaborative initiative created in 2017. FABLE seeks to establish a model-aided decision-support environment for sustainable development pathways in the land use space and brings together knowledge institutions from developed and developing countries to advance the analytical capacity for strategic land use planning. The FABLE Secretariat is jointly hosted IIASA and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
main tasks and responsibilities
Specific tasks of the successful applicant include but are not limited to:
Develop integrated models for resilient agricultural systems and their economic impacts (production costs). Integrate latest climate scenarios into these models. Represent additional food products (crop and livestock) in the current cost structure. Integrate sustainable farming practices into the modeling and perform economic analyses. Assess productivity-profitability gains and losses under different shock scenarios. Conduct in-depth analysis on agricultural production input rates and prices such as for fertilizer, pesticides, labor, machinery and others. Contribute to publications in relevant journals/books and other media (e.g., press, internet). Present research results in international fora. 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.Qualifications and skills
A PhD degree (or equivalent) in agricultural economics, food security, sustainable development, geography or other relevant field(s). Ability to write scientific articles and contribute to science-policy reports.Experience conducting agricultural economic analysis at country level and in global contexts is essential.
Experience identifying and pre-processing novel open-source data inventories.
Knowledge of spatial, econometric and mathematical modeling (optimization) methods is essential. Knowledge of Integrated modeling, specifically at farm level is essential. Experience will be considered an asset. Proficiency in analyzing international trade of agricultural products. Excellent English language communication and writing skills are necessary, and proficiency in other languages an asset. 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 IIASA core values.appointment terms
The successful candidate should be available to take up the position in May 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. 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 IIASA profiles for research careers.
WE OFFER
The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global wellbeing. The opportunity to deepen and improve knowledge and scientific profile. Career development perspectives. An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas. An attractive salary which is exempt from income tax in Austria and negotiable, based on the qualifications, skills and experience of the selected individual and at leastEUR 39,825.00 for R1 researchers
EUR 51,894.00 for R2 research scholars (gross per annum subject to deductions for health insurance and/or social security).
IIASA salaries are:
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. Relocation 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 here.
About IIASA
IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce. This is reflected in our IIASA core values. 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 Member Organization.
Further Information
For further information about this opportunity please contact:
Valeria JAVALERA RINCÓN, Research Scholar, EM Research Group
For general information about working at IIASA, contact recruitment@iiasa.ac.at
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 The names, addresses (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of two work-related reference givers. Deadline for receipt of applications: 20 April 2024