Combined PhD position and university lecturer in Cost-Benefit Analysis of Climate Mitigation and Adaptation (1.0 FTE)

Job description

At the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University, we are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious colleague to further strengthen our group with a specific focus on cost-benefit analysis of climate mitigation and adaptation.  

The position is a unique position for 6 years as research that will allow the candidate to write a PhD thesis and develop educational skills leading up to a Basic Teaching Qualification (‘BKO’).

Climate change is among the biggest challenges of the 21st century. Systematic analysis of impacts and climate policy in the form of adaptation and mitigation can help policymakers to evaluate effective climate policy. The ACCREU project, financed by the Horizon Europe research programme of the European Union investigates the analysis of climate impacts and options for adaptation. As part of this project, Utrecht University collaborated with other European research institutes in assessing climate impacts and options for adaptation. The research will lead to estimates of overall costs that can be used in cost-benefit analysis.  

You will contribute to developing this information – but you will also apply it in the context of the integrated assessment models IMAGE and MIMOSA.

Qualifications

As our PhD candidate you are expected to contribute to the ACCRUE project and to education on economic aspects of innovation and sustainability at the Copernicus Institute. The position will allow you to write a PhD thesis and develop educational skills leading up to a Basic Teaching Qualification (‘BKO’). As our PhD candidate you are expected to have an affinity with economics and with quantitative analysis of global environmental problems. This means that you would have a background in either economics or natural sciences, or a combination of both.  

You will teach in the BSc programme Science and Innovation Management and will supervise Bachelor's theses. Teaching topics may include mathematics, economics, innovation and technology assessment. Teaching is in English. The contribution of teaching as part of the research is about 50%. We gladly receive applications from you if you:

• have a MSc in a relevant field in economic, environmental or natural sciences;
• have a good understanding of the climate change problem;
• have an interest in academic teaching (and preferably experience);
• have a clear interest in quantitative analysis;
• have experience with programming, preferably in python;
• can demonstrate English language proficiency and is interested in publishing scientific articles;
• work well as part of a team.

Offer

This is an appointment of 1.0 FTER for the duration of six years. In case of a good performance, extending the employment is one of the possibilities.
The minimum gross salary is €3,228.00 and the maximum gross salary is €3,228.00 (scale 10-0 of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities) per month, at a full-time employment. You will receive an 8% holiday bonus,  8.3% end-of-year bonus and a pension scheme.

In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development, leave arrangements, sports and cultural schemes and you get discounts on software and other IT products. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow.

For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

About the organisation

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

For an impression of our university you can watch the Utrecht University Campus Tour on our YouTube channel.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact Professor Detlef van Vuuren (Professor in Integrated Assessment of Global Environmental Change) at d.p.vanvuuren@uu.nl or +31 30 2537600 and Kaj-Ivar van der Wijst (Assistant Professor) at k.vanderwijst@uu.nl.

Are you an international applicant? Our International Service Desk can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff.

Apply

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.

The application deadline is 8 October 2023.