PhD Position on Integrated Assessment of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

26 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

22 Jun 2023 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

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

No

Offer Description

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University is looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious colleague to further strengthen its group with a specific focus on integrated assessment of carbon dioxide removal (CDR).

The world agreed in 2015 to limit the increase of the global mean temperature to well below 2 and preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius. Model-based scenario analysis has shown that achieving these goals not only requires deep mitigation of fossil fuel and land-use related emissions, but most likely also removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. Several techniques (such as afforestation, bio-energy with CCS, direct air capture and mineralisation) exist to do this, but most have a limited potential and may lead to significant sustainability challenges (such as energy and land use). A systematic analysis of the various options is urgently needed to allow policymakers to formulate strategies that rely on some use of CDR, minimizing the potential consequences.

In the UPTAKE project, financed by the Horizon Europe research programme of the European Union, Utrecht University will collaborate with other European research institutes in assessing different CDR options in terms of potential, costs, consequences for other sustainable development challenges, legal and institutional issues and societal support. The contribution of Utrecht University concentrates mostly on the further development and use of the IMAGE model to assess the potential and use of different CDR options, and their possible consequences. The PhD candidate is expected to contribute to this research as part of the IMAGE research team (based at PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and Utrecht University).

Requirements
Specific Requirements

The candidate is expected to contribute to the UPTAKE project. The position will allow the candidate to write a PhD thesis. The candidate is expected to have an affinity with quantitative analysis of global environmental problems. This means that the candidate would have a background in either natural sciences or economics. We gladly receive applications from candidates who:

• have a MSc in a relevant field in environmental or natural sciences;
• have a clear understanding of the climate change problem;
• have a clear interest in quantitative analysis and systems thinking;
• have programming skills, preferably in Python;
• can demonstrate English language proficiency and are interested in publishing scientific articles;
• work well as part of a team.

Additional Information
Benefits

You will be offered a temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The gross salary ranges between €2,541 in the first year and €3,247 in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions , including an attractive retirement scheme, professional development , (partly paid) parental leave, sports and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the 'apply' button.

Additional comments

For more information about this position, please contact Professor Detlef van Vuuren (Professor of Integrated Assessment of Global Environmental Change) at [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/328367/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Utrecht University

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3584 CB

Street

Princetonlaan 8a

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/328367/phd-position-on-integrated-assessment-o…

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED