Join the FAIR2Adapt project at SEI Oxford to address complex climate change adaptation challenges, advancing data-driven strategies through impactful research and collaboration.
Closes 11 Dec 2024
Location: SEI Oxford, UK
Deadline: 11 December 2024
Salary range: GBP 30,000 to 36,000
Contract details: Two-years with six-month probation period; Full time
Join an impactful international research institute! At SEI Oxford, we are committed to creating a sustainable and prosperous future for all. SEI Oxford conducts innovative research and develops cutting-edge tools, networks and platforms that generate insights and guide policies and practices toward sustainability. Our expertise helps inform effective adaptation to climate change, influencing both policy and practice. Our research focuses on transboundary climate risk, decision-making for climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and climate services. SEI Oxford also manages weADAPT, a collaborative knowledge-exchange platform and network for climate change adaptation research and practice.
SEI Oxford is a not-for-profit organization registered in the UK and is fully owned by the SEI Foundation. Our dynamic workplace in central Oxford comprises around 12 employees, working alongside 343 colleagues across seven global centres. Our headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden.
About the project
The FAIR to Adapt to Climate Change Enhancing Climate Adaptation through Improved Data Sharing project, or FAIR2Adapt, tackles the complex challenges of climate change adaptation (CCA) by addressing the fragmentation and inaccessibility of climate data and resources. Currently, numerous platforms and tools provide CCA information, but their lack of interoperability and standardized metadata creates knowledge silos and inefficiencies in tailoring strategies to specific contexts.
FAIR2Adapt aims to overcome these barriers by creating a collaborative framework that promotes the integration and sharing of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and open data across various CCA domains, building on the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).
The project will bridge gaps between scientific knowledge, practical application, and resource sharing, thereby supporting better climate resilience strategies. It achieves this by coordinating cross-sectoral knowledge and improving data accessibility for diverse stakeholders. Through use cases linked to the EU Mission on Adaptation to climate change, FAIR2Adapt will demonstrate how to implement equitable, effective and data-driven climate adaptation strategies at national, regional and local levels. This approach encompasses climate-related data alongside critical socioeconomic and environmental information, such as insurance data and infrastructure assessments, which are essential for developing comprehensive strategies
Key innovations
A key innovation of FAIR2Adapt is the implementation of FAIR Digital Objects (FDOs), which enable seamless exchange and reuse of diverse data types across various platforms and tools. By harnessing the capabilities of the EOSC, the initiative enhances machine-assisted discovery, selection, access, and use of relevant climate adaptation data, knowledge and services. This innovation empowers European regional and local authorities to strengthen resilience against the impacts of climate change.
The role
Taking stock of current adaptation data and knowledge needs in a range of case studies, you will support the mapping of ongoing adaptation decision-making processes and associated knowledge resources relevant to the EU Mission. This work will be based on a combination of literature review and engagement with adaptation actors and will focus on areas that can potentially benefit from FAIR approaches and EOSC.
You will generate a broad perspective on community needs and user requirements, helping to prevent the development of non-reusable solutions and encouraging best practices for effective FAIRified CCA data and knowledge. As part of this task, you will identify shared challenges across communities, review critical bottlenecks in the provision of data for adaptation decision-making, and uncover opportunities to enhance protocols and tools (e.g. approaches to open vs. closed data, taxonomies and semantic ontologies, metadata, and end-user interfacing).
Results from these stock-taking activities will be fed back to other work packages (WPs) for further analysis, processing and implementation. This may include tasks such as data-knowledge integration, language barrier identification, and knowledge publishing via customizable dashboards.
Who you are
You are a mid-level career researcher with an interest and experience in climate change adaptation and data science. You are dynamic, engaging and charismatic – confident in leading group discussions and fostering dialogue. The successful candidate will have a strong background in linking qualitative and quantitative data and processes, eliciting user needs, translating them into technical requirements, and designing collaborative processes to achieve this.
Key duties and responsibilities:
- Support the successful implementation of the project, including initiating and executing new ideas.
- Collaborate on team and project strategies while contributing to a collegial workplace atmosphere.
- Provide operational support to the project manager(s) and research team by:
- Coordinating meetings and appointments, preparing materials and harmonizing meeting notes.
- Supporting logistics and execution of small and large events.
- Travelling as necessary to provide this support (in line with SEI guidelines).
- Offer knowledge management support for weADAPT.org themes and microsites connected to these research topics.
Formal qualifications and knowledge:
- Knowledge of FAIRification protocols, taxonomies, ontologies, knowledge graphs, the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and the EOSC Interoperability Framework.
- Master’s, Ph.D. or equivalent experience in environmental science, climate, data/computer science, or a related field.
- Proven experience connecting qualitative and quantitative processes and tailoring information into technical requirements.
- Knowledge and experience in climate change and sustainable development.
Required skills:
- Excellent writing skills.
- Strong data management abilities.
- Research and analytical capabilities to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
- Proficiency in Word, Excel and other standard tools.
- Fluency in English.
Desired skills:
- Experience leading research tasks collaboratively with multiple partners to achieve impactful results.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, essential for conveying complex ideas to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Our offer
At SEI, we offer a stimulating position in an international environment. You will be part of a leading multinational, multidisciplinary and multilingual team of experts in an organization where the wellbeing and development of our employees is a high priority.
Employment at SEI Oxford includes:
- 37.5-hour work week;
- 33 days total of holiday entitlement, including bank holidays, with mandatory holidays on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day;
- Pension contributions: 5% from employee and 8% from SEI Oxford, with a voluntary top-up scheme allowing contributions up to 10% (matched up to 13% by SEI);
- Sick pay scheme;
- Subscription to the Headspace mindfulness and meditation app;
- Access to the UK government’s Bike to Work Scheme, offering tax savings on purchases of bikes and cycling equipment;
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
Additional information
This is a temporary two-year full-time position and includes a standard six-month probation period. The role offers a salary ranging from GBP 30,000 to 36,000, depending on experience. The start date is as soon as possible or by arrangement.
Where permitted by funders, candidates are welcome to bring existing UK, European or other research grants with them when they transition to the role at SEI.
SEI Oxford has a hybrid work environment, which allows employees to share their time between the SEI office and working remotely from their homes in the UK with requirement to attend the office at least one day a week. SEI is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. SEI Oxford will support the process of obtaining a visa if required. Please note that it is not possible to work from outside the UK.
How to apply
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than 11 December 2024, 23:59 UK local time.
We only accept applications through our recruitment system; please apply online using the button below and submit the following in English:
- cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience (one page)
- curriculum vitae (two-page, maximum)
- links to previous projects you have worked on which show proven experience
- names and details of two professional references. We will alert you before contacting your references.
