Researcher- climate change and migration in South-Eastern Europe

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JOB DETAIL

Researcher- climate change and migration in South-Eastern Europe

The IIASA Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Program seeks a researcher for the project ‘Strengthening the evidence-based understanding of the climate change, human mobility and security nexus in South-Eastern Europe – ClimMigSEE’. The candidate with a strong quantitative background will study the role of climate change and related impacts on human mobility in the South-Eastern European region.

background

POPJUS strives to produce empirical-based research focusing on human and social dimensions of global change processes. With human population and behavior being one of the key drivers of transformational change toward sustainable and resilient societies, the program applies and develops innovative approaches and perspectives to study population phenomena that include population aging, health and human wellbeing, human capital formation, and migration drivers and patterns. Insights into current and future population sizes, structures, and distributions are fundamental to understanding human impacts on ecosystems and simultaneously, the impact of environmental changes on human wellbeing differentiated by sub-populations. Within the POPJUS Program, the Migration and Sustainable Development (MIG) Research Group focuses on applying advanced data collection and estimation methods to quantify and better understand the trends, patterns, drivers, and consequences of different types of migration considering its interactions with the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. A particular focus of the research group is exploring how climatic changes and environmental factors directly and indirectly influence migration, and how these effects differ across geographical locations and population subgroups.

The role

The successful candidate will support the ClimMigSEE Project, focusing on the role of climatic factors in influencing migration and human mobility in South-Eastern Europe. Funded by the OSCE, this project collaborates closely with policy partners and regional stakeholders. With high-level political interest, the complex relationship between climate change and mobility needs further exploration. This role aims to expand the knowledge base, addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities and incorporating a gender perspective.

The project

The ClimMigSEE Project aims to:

(1) empirically analyze the impacts of climate change on human mobility in South-Eastern Europe and resulting implications of migration and depopulation trends, and

(2) develop future migration scenarios informed by the empirical analyses, based on assumptions on the development of the climate, demographic and socio-economic trajectories of the region. As part of the project, the team will prepare and publish a state-of-the-art report on the possible interlinkages between climate change, human mobility and security in South-Eastern Europe. The report will rely on evidence from desk research, stakeholders’ consultations and data analysis, and will also include future migration scenarios based on different climate and socioeconomic scenarios for South-Eastern Europe.

main tasks and responsibilities

  • Contribute actively to the research of the ClimMigSEE Project, especially on topics related to the analysis of historical and future mobility in the South-Eastern European region and the implications of outmigration and depopulation.
  • Support the collection of relevant data at the micro and macro level. Prepare and manage data sources for the project.
  • Conduct statistical analyses on the role of climatic factors in driving different forms of human mobility in the region.
  • Develop scenarios for potential future changes in migration under climate change in close collaboration with different project stakeholders.
  • Carry out research that advances the state-of-the-art on the topic, present the results at relevant conferences and workshops, and publish it in peer reviewed journals.
  • Actively engage with project partners and other stakeholders to discuss and disseminate research findings.

Requirements

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in quantitative social sciences, statistics, data science, economics, demography, geography, or related fields.
  • Interest and experience in migration and human mobility.
  • Proficiency in statistics/econometrics and empirical modeling.
  • Experience with statistical packages such as R, STATA, or Python; population projections/scenario building is a plus.
  • Research experience, including developing research plans, data collection and management, and independent analysis.
  • Experience with processing and handling large-scale datasets, including geospatial data.
  • Skilled in data visualization.
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English.
  • Innovative and critical thinking. Proven independence in conducting research.
  • 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 until 31 December 2025. 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 (some travel necessary).

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The successful candidate will be appointed as a researcher (R1) 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.
  • A gross annual salary which is exempt from income tax in Austria and based on a full-time salary of EUR 39,825.00 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.

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 and the IIASA Gender Equality Plan (GEP). 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. Roman Hoffman, Research Group Leader, Migration and Sustainable Development (MIG) Research Group

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

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 reference givers.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled.

Deadline for receipt of applications: 19 September 2024

Laxenburg, Austria
This job has expired.