Research Assistant, Ecosystems Services and Management Program
Background:
The research carried out by the Ecosystems Services and Management (ESM) Program focuses on ecosystem management for provision of services related to fiber, food, water and energy, and the impacts on and as a result of economic, societal and environmental changes. The team benefits from a pluridisciplinary research environment where quantitative analysis plays a strong role in linking a wide spectrum of models, reaching from detailed process based biophysical models to global economic models. The Program is strongly connected to the international academic community, placing emphasis on transdisciplinary synergies and applied approaches. The work accomplished has long been recognized through regular publications in high-ranking scientific journals. In addition, the ESM Program has been invited to participate in numerous policy-oriented consultations and large scale scientific exercises.
Tasks:
- Build-up a new geospatial infrastructure based on the ESM program needs
- Build a data provision portal for geospatial data which is based on OGC standards
- Use advanced data management in order to serve the needs of the ESM program and make existing data interoperable
- Contribute to further development of the Geo-Wiki platform
- Contribute toward the publication of relevant results in research reports and peer-reviewed journals and take part in the dissemination of the results in international assemblies within the scientific and the policy communities
- Participate in the internal life of the Program as well as the Institute (seminars, inter-program projects), respecting the interdisciplinary environment of IIASA.
Qualifications and Skills:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in IT, with strong skills in geo-information and software development
- Proven analytical skills, and ease in manipulating large data sets and complex modeling systems
- Experience with open source geospatial software on desktop and server environments
- Experience with open standards and web services (W3C, OGC, INSPIRE)
- Knowledge of Geo-Wiki and related activities
- A strong interest in ESM topics, in particular agriculture, forestry, resources, land-use, energy and/or climate policy issues
- A good command of the English language.
Appointment Terms:
The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of one year, with the possibility of extension thereafter.
If the successful candidate is suitable and interested in starting a PhD on one of our topics, we will enable it and, if necessary, assist in organizing academic supervision at a degree granting institution.
IIASA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including moving and settlement allowances. IIASA salaries are exempt from taxation in Austria, but subject to the principle of income aggregation.
The Institute’s management and staff alike are committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, and tolerance. The Institute encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Preference will be given to applicants who are nationals of IIASA member countries.
Applications:
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and two recent examples of research work (PDF or Word documents), plus names and contact details (including e-mail) of two work-related references to:
Ms. Alia Harrison, Human Resources
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Fax: (+43) 2236/713-13
E-mail: harrison@iiasa.ac.at
For information about this position, please contact Dr. Steffen Fritz (mailto:fritz@iiasa.ac.at) or
Mr. Florian Kraxner (kraxner@iiasa.ac.at)
Deadline for receipt of applications 22 February 2013.
For general information about our Institute and its research activities, please visit our IIASA Web site.