Researcher in spatial projection & data analysis

Migration and Sustainable Development (MIG) and Multidimensional demographic modeling (mdm) research groups

The MIG and MDM Research Groups in the IIASA Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Program are offering an opportunity for an early career researcher to work on developing and/or downscaling population projections at regional and spatial level in Europe in the context of two externally funded project: BALancing humAn and Natural resource use for Circular bioEconomy (BALANCE) funded by the Research council of Norway; and Socioeconomic Pathways, Adaptation, and Resilience to a Changing CLimate in Europe (SPARCCLE) funded by Horizon Europe. The ideal candidate will possess a robust understanding of population forecasts, and expertise in machine learning and Bayesian statistical methodologies. Furthermore, a solid understanding of demography alongside a keen enthusiasm for collaborating within an international research team is required. The position can be carried out on a full or part-time basis.

BACKGROUND

The POPJUS program at IIASA has maintained its leadership in global population projections for several decades, and these projections are being increasingly employed to enhance policy formulation. The MIG and MDM research groups are looking for developing their capacities in spatial and downscaling approaches to population projections, since the local context and subnational population dynamics are becoming more relevant particularly in the face of environmental changes and climate change impacts, which have significant population implications at the local level. Within the BALANCE and SPARCCLE projects, we are exploring the interactions between the environment and human populations by innovatively integrating a socioeconomic metabolism model with a demographic metabolism model.

The Position

The selected individual will work in collaboration with MIG and MDM researchers and with an international team of scientists to conduct research in two projects. Within the BALANCE project (MIG), downscaled population projections for Norway will be conducted. Within the SPARCCLE project (MDM), the present and future socioeconomic vulnerabilities at regional level in the European countries will be mapped.

The position and the main tasks and responsibilities will be split between BALANCE (40%) and SPARCCLE (60%) over the first three years.

MAIN Tasks AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• For BALANCE:

• Apply machine learning techniques to perform sub-national population projections for Norway considering demographic heterogeneity.
• Collaborate with other BALANCE researchers, especially in research activities related to demographic models.

• For SPARCCLE:

• Map socioeconomic components of exposure and adaptive capacity in the EU.
• Develop new, granular socioeconomic scenarios that specifically address the EU landscape, at national and sub-national scales.

• For both:

• Contribute to methodological and structural development of sub-national/spatial population projections using innovative methods.
• Publish relevant results in peer-reviewed journals and participate in scientific conferences and workshops.
• Contribute to project deliverables, reports, stakeholder communication; work collaboratively with work package and task leaders.
• 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.

  REquirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in demography, mathematics, statistics or similar.
• Experience in population projection and downscaling.
• Proficiency in machine learning and Bayesian statistical approaches.
• Competency in R or Python programing languages.
• Full fluency in English (both written and spoken).
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an international team and collaborate effectively with international project partners.
• 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

  📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

  ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

  Ideally, the selected candidate should be available to take up the position from January 2024. We offer an initial fixed-term, part-time (30 hours per week) or full-time (40 hours per week) employment contract for three years, with the possibility of extension thereafter. This position can be combined with enrollment in a doctoral program.

  Duties will be carried out at the IIASA premises in Laxenburg, near Vienna and at fieldwork sites within Austria.

  The successful candidate will be appointed as an R1 researcher in accordance with the IIASA profiles for research careers.

  WE OFFER

• An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas.
• The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global wellbeing.
• The opportunity to deepen and improve knowledge and scientific profile.
• A multicultural environment working with research partners from prestigious international institutions and universities.
• Career development perspectives.
• An attractive annual salary which is exempt from income tax in Austria and negotiable, based on the qualifications, skills and experience of the selected individual and at least: EUR 36,883.00 (full-time).

  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.
• 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 Dr. Anne Goujon or Dr. Roman Hoffmann

  For general information about working at IIASA, contact: recruitment@iiasa.ac.at

  Applications

  In order to apply for this opportunity, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A cover letter outlining your motivation for and fit to the position,