IIASA SYSTEMIC RISK AND RESILIENCE (SYRR) RESEARCH GROUP
The Systemic Risk and Resilience (SYRR) Research Group within the IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis (ASA) Program is offering a position for a resilience analyst with expertise in sustainability-oriented decision-making aspects.
BACKGROUND
The mission of the SYRR group is to contribute to transforming the way societies manage risks in economic, ecological, and social systems while confronting the global trends that are amplifying these risks. The program examines environmental and socio-economic interactions across multiple scales, providing the analytical foundations for the improved management and governance of disasters, climate change, as well as technological and ecological transitions. Our specialty is applying advanced hard and soft systems science methods for assessing and analysing risks and uncertainties, and co-designing risk policy and governance processes to improve outcomes on global change issues.
PROJECT
The successful applicant will join a transdisciplinary team to work on the EU funded DECIPHER project (DECIsion-making framework and Processes for Holistic Evaluation of enviRonmental and climate policies). DECIPHER’s international and interdisciplinary consortium will employ a systemic approach and use a diverse mix of economic models as well as social science methods to create an enhanced framework for robust, innovative, adaptive, and inclusive decision-making for informing climate, biodiversity, and sustainability policies across geographic scales.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful applicant will work with the IIASA team and other partners in the DECIPHER project to lead the work on enriching empirical decision-making frameworks for improved forward-looking policy assessments that consider systemic risk, resilience and opportunity including through the examination of relevant processes, criteria, methods and metrics. Tasks will include, among others:
- Lead the review and development of conceptual guidance for improved socio-economic decision-making for informing public policy in the climate and environment policy domains.
- Co-lead the research on improved understanding of the impacts of disruptive events (such as associated with COVID-19, financial crises, disasters, technology etc.) on environmental and sustainability-oriented decision-making.
- Co-lead the operationalization and application of the decision-making framework to relevant case applications.
- Publish (single and co-authored papers) 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.
PROFILE
- PhD degree or equivalent in the social sciences, economics, statistics, geography or other relevant field(s).
- Several years of relevant experience and strong expertise in resilience assessment, as well as decision-making aspects with regard to climate change and other sustainability challenges.
- Strong English communication and writing skills are necessary, and proficiency in other languages is welcome.
- 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 selected candidate should be available to take up the position as soon as possible. We offer an initial fixed-term, one-year, full-time (40 hours per week) employment contract, with the possibility of extension thereafter.
Eligible applicants wishing to work part-time hours will also 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 hired as a (Senior) Research Scholar (R3 or R2) in accordance with their corresponding profile in the IIASA profiles for research careers.
WE OFFER
A gross annual, full-time salary of:
minimum:
EUR 44,204.00 for R2 research scholars
or
EUR 59,624.00 for R3 senior research scholars
IIASA salaries are:
- Exempt from income tax in Austria
- Negotiable, based on the qualifications, skills and experience of the selected individual.
- 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).
IN ADDITION:
- 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.
- 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 National Member Organization (NMO).
Further Information
For further information about this opportunity please contact:
Dr. Reinhard Mechler, SYRR Research Group Leader.
For general questions about working at IIASA, please contact:
[email protected]
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.
Please do not include or submit your photograph with your application materials.
Deadline for receipt of applications: 29 September 2022
