Location: University of Barcelona, Spain
Salary: 36,250 euros, gross per year
Job Description
The University of Barcelona is 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).
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 (such as those in the “Doughnut” of social and planetary boundaries). 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.
Candidate Qualifications
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.
Details on the Position
The position is available to start as soon as possible (ideally no later than 1st May 2024), and will last for approximately two years, depending on the exact start date. 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 gross salary is 36,250 euros per year.
Application Instructions
To apply, please email your application to ecoeco.recruitment@gmail.com, with the subject line “Application for ToBe position”, no later than Sunday 25th February 2024, 23:59 CET. Please include a one-page motivation letter, your CV, and a one-page proposal on how you would integrate environmental and/or social indicators in a macroeconomic model. Interviews will be carried out with shortlisted candidates via Zoom, tentatively the first week of March. Two reference letters will be requested for candidates invited for an interview.
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.