MDEA Water Foundation is offering a predoctoral research position within the Economic and Institutional Analysis Group. The position is aimed at candidates with experience in programming and a strong interest in socio-ecological modelling, to engage in research activities within an international research project.
The contract is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101124884, corresponding to the WaterTheft project (ERC Consolidator Grant).
The successful candidate will pursue their doctoral thesis focusing on the development and coupling of human and water systems, as well as on conducting high-performance, multi-system simulations. The researcher will work in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team including microeconomists, macroeconomists, hydrologists, and experts in Agent-Based Modelling (ABM).
Key tasks include the co-creation of a multi-system ensemble integrating microeconomic, macroeconomic, hydrological, and ABM models, together with inputs from CMIP6 climate simulations, using artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) techniques. The researcher will also use these models to quantify cascading uncertainty arising from the modelling framework, through sensitivity analysis and multi-model ensemble approaches.
Working language will be English.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- MSc degree EQF Level 7 (MECES 3)
- Proven quantitative background (economics, engineering, physics, mathematics) for ensemble development and AI/ML modeling
- English language (working language).
Applicants must apply through the IMDEA Water website or by clicking on this link:
Applicants must submit the following documentation:
- Curriculum Vitae. The CV must be attached using the IMDEA Water template. CVs in any other format will not be accepted.
- Academic transcripts
- Cover letter from the candidate presenting his/her candidacy and merits and including his/her personal motivation.
- Other relevant documentation: Supporting documents of merits.
- Master’s degree, based on its relevance for the job and average mark; other relevant training
- Digital competences of the abovementioned relevant software: Python, R, NetCDF
- Bachelor’s degree, based on its relevance for the job and average mark
Employment contract full-time: 37.5 hours/weekAnnual gross salary: 22.929,50 €
Approximate incorporation date: March 2026
Duration: Maximum 3 years + 1. Type of contract: Pre-doctoral contract – The selected candidate must meet the requirements set out in art. 21 of Law 14/2011, of 1 June, on Science, Technology and Innovation
