Position in land use modelling within the context of bioeconomy
The vacancy is within the Bio-Economy Unit, (located in Ispra, Italy), which provides scientific support to EU policies related to the bio-economy such as the sustainable production as well as the use of biological resources and the conversion to value added products, such as food, feed, bioenergy and bio-based products.
We are looking for a researcher with working experience on land use modelling. The researcher should be ready to work in the wider perspective of the bio-economy, seeking to link and integrate with different sectors such as e.g. agriculture, forestry, bioenergy, bio-based industries, including with their non-bio-based competing sectors. With this perspective, the researcher should consider not only the spatial allocation of land use and the dynamics of the competition between land use classes; but also the multi-functionality of each land use, and how it could supply different sectors (e.g. energy, materials, food, feed, chemicals).
The candidate should have a committed, well-organized and dynamic personality, open to explore new fields and actively interact with different disciplines. He/she will carry out technical work focused on the analysis of processes of land-use modelling, with an emphasis on the political, economic, societal and environmental drivers of land-use change and land-use potential to supply end products. The researcher should consider concepts such as innovation, economics (both upstream in terms of macro-economic drivers and downstream in terms of socio-economic effects), climate change and aspects related to bio-based products supply chains. Ideally the modeller would work at all levels of land-use modelling, from calibration to configuration and validation of the model; and liaise with other pan-EU and global modelling systems in the forestry, agriculture, energy, climate and economic realms.
The envisaged work will consist of:
- Extension of forest-based sector modelling tools into a tool with land use modelling capabilities.
- Linking and integrating with different sector-specific models in the bioeconomy (e.g. agriculture, climate, economics, bioenergy).
- Analysis of drivers affecting land use change quantities and patterns (i.e. concepts of neighborhood effects, cost-supply and optimization).
- Collaborate with agriculture, forest-based sector and life-cycle analysts and database managers for the efficient flow of knowledge and information.
- Produce scientific publications.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should have a PhD in environmental science, natural resource sciences or related field with emphasis on spatial modelling, mathematics, applied economics, life cycle assessment (or a University degree and 5 years of experience in land use modelling after the university degree).
Excellent writing and presentation skills, with good knowledge (B2) of spoken and written English are required. Relevant publications and presentations are seen as essential and should be highlighted.
Assets will be considered knowledge of European policy, experience with large-scale modelling systems and systems with medium-long-term outlook, as well as with model integration. Specific software programming skills should be highlighted in the application.
The candidate must be on a valid EPSO reserve list for Function Group IV contract staff or have applied to the permanent open call for researchers FG IV:
https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/working-with-us/jobs/vacancies/function-group-iv-researchers
Auxiliary contract staff: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/working-with-us/jobs/temporary-positions/contract-staff-members
Please note that due to the high number of applications received only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
more information is found here:
http://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/showprj.php?type=A&id=1038
