Researcher – Climate Change and Migration

part-time (30 hours per week)

The Migration and Sustainable Development (MIG) Research Group, part of the Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Program, is looking to recruit a Researcher to work on the European Research Council funded project Climate Change and Human (Im)Mobility: The Role of Compound and Cascading Risks (2C-RISK). The successful candidate will have a master's degree in the social sciences or related fields, and interest in quantitative migration research.

Background

The POPJUS Program produces empirical-based research focusing on human and social dimensions of global change processes. Within the program, the Migration and Sustainable Development Research Group (MIG) focuses on applying advanced data collection and estimation methods to quantify and better understand the trends, patterns, drivers, and consequences of different types of migration considering its interactions with the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. A particular focus of the research group is exploring how climatic changes and environmental factors directly and indirectly influence migration, and how these effects differ across geographical locations and population subgroups.

The role

The successful candidate will work as part of a collaborative team of migration scholars, data scientists, and modelers within IIASA and other institutions on the Climate Change and Human (Im)Mobility: The Role of Compound and Cascading Risks (2C-RISK, 2025-2030) project. The project offers a comprehensive analysis of how compound and cascading climatic and non-climatic risks impact human mobility and immobility globally. By developing new insights into the conditions that drive climate-related (im)mobility and identifying populations at heightened risk, the 2C-RISK project aims to inform more effective policies to protect vulnerable populations in a changing climate. There will be a possibility for the selected candidate to pursue a PhD on a topic related to the project.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Actively contribute to the research of the 2C-RISK project, studying the impacts of climate change processes and extreme events on migration and immobility worldwide.
Support the preparation and management of large-scale datasets on migration and environmental risks at both the micro and macro levels.
Conduct statistical analyses to examine the role of climatic factors in driving various forms of human mobility and immobility, including the preparation of visualizations and infographics.
Advance the state-of-the-art in the field by conducting innovative research, presenting findings at relevant conferences and workshops, and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
Actively engage with project partners and other stakeholders to discuss and disseminate research findings.

qualifications, skills and requirements

Master's degree (or equivalent) with a background in quantitative social sciences, statistics, data science, economics, demography, geography, or other related field.
Interest in the topic of migration and human mobility. Experience working in this area of research is desirable.
Proven competence in statistics/econometrics and empirical modeling. Experience with relevant statistical packages, e.g., R, STATA or Python.
Research experience, including demonstrated experience in collecting and managing data, and independently carrying out analyses.
Experience with data processing and the handling of datasets at the micro and macro level, including geospatial data. Experience with the visualization of data.
Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Innovative and critical thinking. Proven independence in conducting research.
Enthusiasm for engaging with stakeholders to communicate and develop research.

IIASA offers an interdisciplinary and international workplace, and the possibility to interact with researchers of different nationalities, with strong ties to a world-wide network of research institutions engaged in environmental systems research. The successful candidate must be able to work in, and have respect for, an intercultural environment, and IIASA core values.

Appointment terms

The selected candidate should be available to take up the position by June 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. We offer an initial fixed-term, one-year, 75% part-time (30 hours per week) employment contract, with the possibility of extension for up to two years thereafter.

The place of work is at the IIASA premises in Laxenburg, near Vienna in Austria.

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Researcher (R1) in accordance with the IIASA profiles for research careers.

We offer

The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global wellbeing.
Career development perspectives and the possibility for the selected candidate to pursue a PhD on a topic related to the project.
An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas.

An attractive salary which is exempt from income tax in Austria of EUR 30,765.00 for 30 hours per week (based on a full-time equivalent salary of EUR 41,020.00).
Salaries quoted are:
- Gross per annum (subject to deductions for health insurance and/or social security).
- Not directly comparable with other employers in Austria, due to the unique legal status and privileges granted to IIASA.
- Subject to the principle of income aggregation (Progressionsvorbehalt in German).

Other benefits

Educational subsidies for children of school age enrolled in private schools in Austria.
A generous annual leave entitlement.
Relocation allowances and paid home leave.
The possibility to work up to 100 days per year in home office (within Austria).
Assistance for newcomers to Austria with visa, work and residency permit applications.
Support finding accommodation in Austria.

Further details here.

About IIASA

IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce. This is reflected in our IIASA core values and the IIASA Gender Equality Plan (GEP). We encourage qualified candidates from all religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply. In the case that candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to applicants from countries where IIASA has a Member Organization.

Further Information

For further information about this opportunity please contact

Roman Hoffmann, MIG Research Group Leader

For general information about working at IIASA, contact: recruitment@iiasa.ac.at

Applications

To apply, please submit the following documents in English (pdf format) by clicking on the apply button below:

A cover letter outlining your motivation and fit to the position.
Your CV.
The names and contact details of three reference givers.

Deadline for receipt of applications: 27 April 2025

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