Postdoctoral Researcher in Global Volcanic Risk

Population growth, technology dependency and increased global system complexity mean that we are at catastrophic risk from volcanic eruptions. Yet, global preparedness to the impacts of multi- and cascading hazards caused by moderate to large scale volcanic eruptions is lacking, with eruptions capable of far-reaching impacts that would require a rapid and coordinated national and international response. The project “Global response, vulnerability and preparedness to volcanic, cross-border multi-hazards” will address this gap and the societal challenge of building disaster resilience societies to volcanic hazards.

You will design an operational framework for the communication for global volcanic hazards and risk and work towards the development of a holistic assessment tool for the determination of volcanic risk to society at global scale. The project will use a multi-disciplinary approach, combining volcanology, geospatial modelling using both structured and unstructured (crowdsourced) data to a) identify present vulnerability and direct and cascading social, economic and environmental risks from volcanic multi-hazards (primary and secondary) for different magnitude eruptions, and b) provide recommendations and a road map for improvements in the communication of global volcanic hazards and risk.

You will work on partnership mapping and engagement (e.g., co-creation activities) and conduct collaborative research with relevant sectors and disciplines. You will carry out crowdsourced data mining and will also work on the development of existing multi-hazard risk analysis tools using diverse sources of geospatial data. You will interpretate and communicate of results to a range of interested parties. You will also contribute to CDR activities and GeoAcademy short courses in volcanic hazards and geoscience communication that are currently being developed.

Additional information about this position can be obtained from Dr Heather Handley (e-mail: [email protected]).

Please submit your application before 16 April 2023 (choose “apply now” below). Your application should include:

• a motivation letter (motivating your application, your research interests, and describing your specific qualifications).
• a CV with information of two academic references
• 1 page research statement

The University of Twente wants to be an organization that optimally deploys diversity, talents and capabilities in the labor market for now and the future. In the framework of our diversity and inclusiveness policy, we strongly stimulate people with a (work) disability to apply for this position.

The Centre for Disaster Resilience (CDR), within the Faculty for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), focuses on a synergetic and common effort to increase the well-being and the global sustainable growth by significantly decreasing disaster risk. For more information about the CDR, ITC and UT please see the following links: CDR and ITC.

The CDR is committed to providing a working environment where everyone is valued, respected and supported to progress. Our priority is to ensure that no-one is disadvantaged based on their ethnicity, gender, culture, disability, LGBTIQA+ identities, family and caring responsibilities, age, or religion. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria and shares the CDR’s values to apply.

The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) provides international postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation. Our mission is capacity development, where we apply, share and facilitate the effective use of geo-information and earth observation knowledge and tools for tackling global wicked problems. Our purpose is to enable our many partners around the world to track and trace the impact – and the shifting causes and frontiers – of today’s global challenges. Our vision is of a world in which researchers, educators, and students collaborate across disciplinary and geographic divides with governmental and non-governmental organisations, institutes, businesses, and local populations to surmount today’s complex global challenges and to contribute to sustainable, fair, and digital societies.