Research Scholar – Modeling of Energy Transformations
JOB DETAIL
Research Scholar – Modeling of Energy Transformations
The Integrated Assessment and Climate Change (IACC) Research Group within the Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Program at IIASA is looking to recruit a motivated and talented researcher in modeling of energy transformations and their impact on the economy, the environment, and more broadly on sustainable development goals. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team analyzing issues related to national and regional energy transformations in various parts of the world with the aim of producing policy relevant insights and contributing to just and equitable transitions.
background
As one of the world’s leading global Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM) teams, the ECE program at IIASA conducts research on a wide range of issues related to energy sector transitions in the context of climate change and broader sustainable development challenges. Building upon a long tradition at IIASA going back to its foundation, ECE’s modeling tools stand at the heart of the IIASA IAM framework, exploring linked solutions for energy, food, land, and water. ECE is the developer of the open-source MESSAGEix modeling framework and its extensions, a framework for analyzing energy transitions pathways and polices that can shape those transitions. ECE’s research is at the interface of science, policy, and society, with the purpose of informing international policy efforts, such as those related to the Paris Agreement or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assessing synergies and trade-offs between them.
The role
The research will focus on modeling energy systems and their interlinkages with the other sectors of the economy, in the context of climate change mitigation and sustainable development. The incumbent will support development of energy tools to downscale global and regional model results/projections across a wide range of scales, from continental and national scales down to city level assessments and apply Geographical Information System (GIS) tools, maps, and other techniques such as machine learning, downscaling and aggregation to analyze data across different temporal and spatial resolutions. The selected candidate will work with a team of passionate and highly skilled modelers to further develop and apply the open source MESSAGEix modeling framework. The selected candidate will collaborate with internal and external partners for conducting energy planning studies in various countries with different potentials and challenges, including different views on sustainable development and contribute to the Modeling of National Transformations theme . With the topic of air quality being an important policy objective in many countries and regions, linking to the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model will be part of the incumbent’s role.
main tasks and responsibilities
- Contribute to the analysis of energy policies, emission reduction targets, and national energy plans within the context of broader sustainable development goals (including equitable access to modern energy services, mitigating air and water pollution, reducing waste and material use, etc.,).
- Develop new methodologies, models/modules, and innovative model-linkage frameworks for an integrated assessment of energy transformations including emerging challenges/solutions in this field.
- Collaborate with team members to co-develop an open-source integrated assessment modeling framework (MESSAGEix), and apply/adjust the tool to respond to different research questions pertinent to national and regional energy transformations.
- Assist with the linkage of MESSAGEix and the GAINS model to enable assessing air quality and health implications of energy transformation pathways.
- Work with large datasets and Geographical Information System (GIS) tools, maps, and other techniques such as machine learning, downscaling and aggregation to analyze data across different temporal and spatial resolutions.
- Present complex energy issues and modeling insights to a wide range of stakeholders with various backgrounds in a comprehensible and effective manner. Document and publish research outcomes in the form of policy briefs, technical reports, scientific articles, etc.,.
- Communicate and co-develop energy planning models and studies together with other researchers and external collaborators from different countries with various levels of expertise in energy system modeling. Contribute to capacity building, training, knowledge sharing and dissemination activities through both online and physical platforms.
- Contribute to ongoing and future projects, participate in proposal writing and fundraising initiatives, and coordinate administration of relevant projects.
skills, qualifications and experience
- PhD (or equivalent) or master’s degree (or equivalent) plus research experience in a related field in energy economics, energy engineering, operations research and systems analysis, or related field.
- Knowledge of systems integration of variable renewable energy and required flexibility options, hydrogen economy, energy storage technologies, and emerging distributed energy solutions required.
- Experience with quantitative modeling and programming skills in Python, R and/or GAMS essential, systematic understanding of and hands-on experience with energy system optimization models and/or integrated assessment modeling important.
- Practical experience with GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) for spatial data processing and analysis desirable.
- Domain knowledge of energy transitions, their enablers and barriers in both energy supply and demand sectors, and the role of energy policy, markets, and technological change, in the context of climate change mitigation and sustainable development desirable.
- Experience in energy planning studies, policy analysis, and/or energy systems modeling at the national and regional (multi-country) level preferred.
- Passionate about the role of science in resolving complex energy-related problems and motivated to make a positive impact on low-carbon, equitable and just energy transitions.
- Fluency in English and recorded experience in writing high-quality publications is an asset.
- Excellent presentation, interpersonal and communication skills, with creativity in presenting complex topics in an effective and digestible manner to a broad range of audiences.
- 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 as soon as possible in 2024. 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 either in accordance with the IIASA profiles for research careers.
We offer
- The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global wellbeing.
- 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 least
EUR 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.
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.
For further information about this opportunity please contact:
Volker Krey, IACC Research Group Leader
For general information about working at IIASA, please contact: recruitment@iiasa.ac.at
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 reference givers.
Deadline for receipt of applications: until filled
