Austria Job Openings

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

Researcher/Modeler - system dynamics modeling

Laxenburg

FULL TIME

August 5, 2024

Deadline: 1 September 2024

31-2024
Researcher/Modeler - system dynamics modeling
The IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Program seeks a strong candidate to support advancing the representation of social systems and behavioral factors in climate-economy-environment modeling.
BACKGROUND
ECE is one of the world’s leading global Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM) teams, and works to deepen understanding of rapid, just, and feasible systems transformations toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Continuing a long tradition going back to the institute's foundation, ECE’s modeling tools stand at the heart of our integrated assessment capabilities, used to explore linked solutions for energy, food, land, and water. Interdisciplinary teams within ECE use these and complementary methods to study trade-offs and synergies between multiple policy priorities and objectives, typically across multiple sectors. ECE’s scientific outputs inform international and national policy efforts related to climate change (e.g. implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement) and sustainable development (e.g. pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals).
THE ROLE
Demand reduction through behavioral changes is considered an important mitigation option, and the crucial role of social systems in rapid decarbonization is increasingly acknowledged. Extending global models to explicitly capture bottom-up lifestyle and behavior changes, as well as human-earth system feedbacks will enable assessing the feasibility of widespread behavioral changes and social tipping mechanisms.
The successful candidate will contribute to developing modeling methods and data to study the social dynamics of low-carbon behavior changes, such as shifts to plant-based diets, emerging from lifestyle changes in relation to economic, environmental and political factors. They will join and (co-)lead existing research efforts, while helping identify, plan, and create new opportunities and research directions, and will represent IIASA and ECE in the international World Trans and CHOICE projects funded by Horizon Europe, and collaborate with a wide network of leading scientists in modeling human and earth system feedbacks..
The work will include, but is not limited to:
  • Extension of the Feli X system dynamics model to capture the individual, social, and structural factors behind lifestyle change for low-carbon consumption at a global level.
  • Complementary qualitative and quantitative analysis of the feedback mechanisms leading to widespread behavioral changes and their cascading effects.
  • Computational, model-based analysis of the impacts of large-scale behavioral changes on food and energy demand, and the key drivers or barriers of those.
  • Design and execution of linkages between human and earth systems through collaborations with climate and economic system modelers.
  • Design of an online simulation environment (in collaboration with developers) for user engagement in behavior change scenarios.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Contribute to the development of conceptual and formal system dynamics models of widespread behavioral changes for low-carbon food and energy consumption; source appropriate data/measures from diverse sources; implement scenario analyses.
  • Contribute to the extension and maintenance of the Feli X simple integrated assessment model;
  • the tool to address diverse research questions.
  • Process large volumes of data on (inter alia) consumption statistics, consumer preferences and citizen attitudes, beliefs and values on climate change and climate policies; collaborate with other data analysts to quantify the models.
  • Produce figures, maps, and visualizations to check results and efficiently communicate findings.
  • Collaboratively develop model and data analysis code that is version-controlled, documented, and reproducible, to enable low-cost adaptation of methods for different contexts.
  • Participate in and/or facilitate participatory modeling activities with international research partners and stakeholders.
  • Present methods and results to both technical and non-technical audiences; write reports and scientific papers to communicate findings.
REQUIREMENTS
  • Master’s degree in a related field of economics, engineering, or social sciences.
Essential skills:
  • Knowledge of and hands-on experience with dynamic systems modeling, such as system dynamics or agent-based modeling.
  • Knowledge of a system dynamics modeling software (preferably Vensim, or Stella, Power Sim, Any Logic etc.,).
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken); good presentation skills; and experience writing publications.
Desirable:
  • Experience in integrated assessment modeling; with models representing human behavior such as social diffusion, innovation adoption, epidemics or behavior change; with facilitation of participatory modeling activities.
  • Programming ability, ideally in Python, R, or a similar language.
  • Domain knowledge in demand-side mitigation, the role of food and energy consumption choices in climate change mitigation, and the role of psychosocial factors in behavioral changes.
  • Experience with Git Hub and version control systems.
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 (some travel necessary).
The successful candidate will be appointed 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 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.


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 . 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:
Sibel Eker, Senior Research Scholar, Sustainable Service Systems (S3) Research Group
or
Bas van Ruijven, Research Group Leader, Sustainable Service Systems (S3) Research Group

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


Applications

To 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: 1 September 2024

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