Postdoctoral position in ecological macroeconomics - ToBe

22 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Universitat de Barcelona

Department

OPIR- International Research Projects office

Research Field

Economics
Environmental science

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

7 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Offer Starting Date

1 Apr 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE

Reference Number

Nº GA 101094211

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

We are looking for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher in ecological economics to work on an exciting project entitled “Towards a Sustainable Well-being Economy: Integrated Policies and Transformative Indicators” (ToBe; toberesearch.eu).

The postdoctoral researcher will help develop a novel ecological macroeconomic model that includes a wide range of indicators of human well-being and environmental sustainability, in addition to conventional macroeconomic variables. The model will be used to assess different policy packages aimed at achieving a sustainable well-being economy.

The successful candidate will join a cutting-edge research team working on ecological economics and political ecology, with a particular focus on “post-growth” approaches. The motivation for this research is the observation that GDP growth is no longer improving people’s lives in wealthy nations, and yet it is contributing to a worsening ecological crisis. A new economic paradigm is needed.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in an area such as ecological economics, environmental studies, natural/social sciences, etc. Expertise in quantitative research methods and/or computer programming is essential. Knowledge of topics such as human well-being, planetary boundaries, provisioning systems, input–output analysis, system dynamics, machine learning, and/or material flow analysis is desirable. Experience with existing ecological macroeconomic models (e.g. PyMedeas, EuroGreen, or LowGrow SFC) would be advantageous. Note that we do not expect a single candidate to know all of these areas.

We strongly value motivation and initiative, along with skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, professional writing, and the ability to work as part of an international team.

The position is available to start as soon as possible (ideally no later than 1st May 2024). Completion of a PhD by the start date of the contract is a requirement for the position.

The position will be based in the Faculty of Economics, at the University of Barcelona (Spain), under the supervision of Dan O’Neill and Federico Demaria.

The successful candidate will join one of the top groups of post-growth researchers in the world. We work closely as a team, and the successful candidate is expected to live and work in the Barcelona area. Barcelona is a dynamic city on the Mediterranean, with a very high quality of life. The University of Barcelona is generally regarded as the top university in Spain, and one of the best in Europe.

Gross salary per year: 36.395,64 €.

Requirements

Research Field

Economics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Environmental science

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Successful candidates must have:

    • A PhD in an area such as ecological economics, environmental studies, natural/social sciences, or engineering. (Note: PhD must be completed before start date.)

    • Expertise in one or more of the following quantitative methods: numerical simulation models, input–output analysis, machine learning or statistical methods. Note that we do not expect a single candidate to know all of these areas.

    • Knowledge of one or more computer programming languages.

    • Excellent communication skills.

    • Good time management.

    • Motivation and initiative, along with skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, professional writing, and the ability to work as part of an international team.

Note that we do not expect a single candidate to have all these skills.

Specific Requirements

Other desirable skills include:

    • Knowledge of post-growth research topics (e.g. human well-being, planetary boundaries, provisioning systems, material flow analysis).

    • Experience with existing ecological macroeconomic models (e.g. EuroGreen, LowGrow SFC, PyMedeas)

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

EconomicsEnvironmental science

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

• Suitability of CV (max. 40)

• PhD in the specialist area (30), other PhD (10)

• Motivation letter and research proposal (max. 30)

• Related experience (max. 30): Expertise in relevant quantitative methods (10 points), Knowledge of computer programming languages (10 points), Knowledge of post-growth and ecological macroeconomic models (10 points)

The minimum score to pass the selection process is 70/100 points.

Selection process

First selection based on application documents. There might be online interviews for short listed candidates, if needed.

Additional comments

Duration of the contract of employment: 12 months, renewable up to 28/02/2026.

The candidate proposed for hiring must accept the job offer within 5 working days from the date of notification of the selection.

Priority will be given to people with disabilities (Law 89/2015 of June 2, reserve of quota 2% in favour of people with disabilities in companies of 50 or more people).

Be aware that the starting date sets in this offer is an estimate date. The official starting date will depend on the bureaucratic time that will take the preparation of the labour contract and presentation of the necessary documents to be hired by the selected candidate.

For additional information regards this offer, please, contact Dr. Demaria: [email protected] ; [email protected]

Website for additional job details

https://toberesearch.eu/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universitat de Barcelona

Country

Spain

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Postal Code

08034

Street

Diagonal, 690

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://t.ly/Z3Nd-

Contact

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Website

http://www.ub.edu/opir

Street

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585.

Postal Code

08007

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED