Research assistant position on urban adaptation monitoring and evaluation under the ERC-funded project IMAGINE Adaptation
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The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) offers a full-time research assistant position to support the research activities in the context of the European Research Council (ERC) project IMAGINE Adaptation (ID: 101039429), led by Dr Marta Olazabal. This is a 5-year research project funded by the ERC that will be developed in the framework of the Adaptation Lab (Research Line 4) and the cross-cutting Urban Theme at BC3.
The project ‘IMAGINE adaptation’ addresses the need to evaluate adaptation in urban areas and understand progress across governance levels. The current focus on policy progress can be a useful first step, but it is not indicative of effective adaptation. A broader understanding of success is required, one that goes beyond technical definitions and considers equity, justice and maladaptive issues. To enable evaluation and learning from these diverse understandings of adaptation, the first two years of the project ‘IMAGINE adaptation’ will gather expert and local views to reformulate the concept of adaptation success. The project will then explore the trends and needs regarding monitoring and evaluation and how these may enable or hinder adaptation. The findings will be used to inform the development of a comparative case study research across 12 urban areas worldwide and contribute to global discussions on how the evaluation of local progress can inform global goals for adaptation.
Job description: We are looking for a research assistant (RA) who can support the Principal Investigator in the project activities related to adaptation monitoring and evaluation for a period of 4 months (March 2023-June 2023). Part of the activities to be developed by the RA are also aligned with an ongoing project led by the PI in collaboration with members of the International Platform on Adaptation Metrics (IPAM). This IPAM project aims to develop a systematic review of urban adaptation indicators and metrics across scientific literature.
In particular, the RA is expected to develop the following activities:
- Contribute to a systematic data collection effort of adaptation indicators and metrics across specialised literature
- Build and analyse a data set of adaptation indicators and metrics in coordination with team members and international collaborators
- Participate in meetings with team members and international collaborators, take minutes and organise work.
- Support the writing of scientific articles and other dissemination materials, based on the work described above.
- Support the development of other synergetic scientific activities in line with the scientific objectives of the project.
We seek highly motivated candidates that develop effective task management and work collaboratively. Candidates should be accustomed to developing rigorous and meticulous work and have also an interest in approaching science in creative ways.
Benefits are:
- Work on an international pioneering project,
- Join an international English-speaking team aiming to develop frontier science,
- Collaborate with team members and external collaborators of diverse professional and geographical backgrounds, and
- Contribute to and co-author scientific outputs.
Main requirements (evidence will be requested):
- Have completed BSc and Master’s studies in any field that integrates environmental management and also statistics, spanning social sciences, humanities, engineering or architecture.
- Training or experience in the field of sustainability or climate change management, including monitoring and evaluation.
- Strong analytical skills: experience dealing with and analysing large spreadsheet-based data sets.
- Good IT literacy, including Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and/or other statistical software such as SPSS)
- Excellent written and oral command of English is required.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
IMPORTANT: Applications including links to previous works/projects/initiatives that show how the applicant meets these requirements will be given priority. See “Application procedure”.
Work environment
- Interdisciplinary and inspiring work environment
- Quiet and spacious workspaces
- Possibility of participating in internal training, learning, or corporate social responsibility activities of BC3.
- 35-hour week work calendar
- 30 days of vacation per year
Term of contract
The envisaged starting date is 1st of March 2023, or as soon as possible. The position will be for 4 months, until June 30th 2023.
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Salary
The position will carry excellent conditions of work. The salary range corresponds to a Research Assistant according to BC3 standards.
Location
Basque Centre for Climate Change, Leioa, Spain.
As an HR Excellence awarded institution, BC3 is committed to conciliating research-academic requirements and family duties. BC3 is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for people independently of gender, culture, and race. Anyone with relevant qualifications is therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.
Application procedure:
Please, fill the form below and upload one PDF document with the following information:
- 4-pages CV including contacts of ONE (or maximum TWO) referees.
- A one-page MOTIVATION LETTER including a bulleted list explaining how you meet the 5 requirements of this job offer (see above). You may include links to previous works/projects/initiatives.
Deadline
10th March 2023 (17:00 CET) or when a suitable candidate has been found.
Potential candidates will be invited for an interview as soon as we receive and positively evaluate their application. We advise interested people to prepare and submit their application as soon as possible carefully following the instructions above.
Informal inquiries can be made to Marta Olazabal (marta.olazabal@bc3research.org) noting in the subject of the message “RA – IMAGINE Adaptation recruitment process”.
