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Deadline: 30 September 2025
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19-2025
APPLY
19-2025

Research Scholar/Modeler - Global Climate System

The Integrated Climate Impacts (ICI) Research Group within the Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Program at IIASA is looking for senior research scholar in developing reduced-complexity climate models.  This role will develop further open-source tools and modules to calculate atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, effective radiative forcing and global warming from greenhouse gases, aerosols, ozone and other agents. 

the role

The successful candidate will work with a team of international scientists to develop a growing suite of climate impacts models and indicators to improve understanding and representation of climate impacts on socioeconomic sectors such as energy, infrastructure, water resources, land, agriculture and vulnerable populations.

The main tasks involve the further development and application of reduced-complexity climate models as part of the Horizon 2020 Consortium Projects and the Scenario Compass Initiative, focusing on the following topics:

  • Assessment of emissions scenarios.
  • Emulation of comprehensive Earth System Model behavior.
  • Synergies and tradeoffs between climate change mitigation action and biosphere constraints as represented within a reduced-complexity climate model framework.

tasks and responsibilities

  • Assessment of emissions scenarios from a variety of sources including integrated assessment model output. Incorporation of automated emissions scenario assessment within the IIASA scenario explorer.
  • Incorporate the latest carbon cycle understanding from comprehensive earth system model output into a reduced-complexity model framework.
  • Development of a scenario classification framework for emissions scenarios based upon their global temperature, emissions and overshoot characteristics.
  • Publish relevant results in peer-reviewed journals and participate in scientific conferences and workshops.
  • Contribute to project deliverables, reports, stakeholder communication.
  • Contribute actively to funding proposals.

our requirements

  • PhD degree combined with relevant research experience in reduced-complexity climate model development.
  • Experience with reduced-complexity climate model development.
  • Experience with large datasets processing and spatial analysis (Python or equivalent).
  • High-level proficiency in the Python and FORTRAN   programming languages.
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to open-source projects, including a demonstrated understanding of software testing.
  • Capacity to take upon novel topics and lead them to successful completion within strict timelines.
  • Demonstrated ability to publish scientific articles and produce policy-relevant reports on model applications.
  • A degree of flexibility and willingness to travel Fluency in English and good presentation skills.
  • 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 successful candidate should be available to take up the position as soon as possible. We offer a full-time, open-ended employment contract.

Eligible applicants wishing to work part-time hours may be considered.

The place of work is IIASA in Laxenburg, near Vienna Austria (home office options available).

The successful candidate will be appointed as R2 (research scholar) or R3 (senior research scholar) in accordance with the IIASA profiles for research careers. 

We offer

  • The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global wellbeing.
  • An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas.
  • An attractive annual salary which is exempt from income tax in Austria (subject to deductions for health insurance and/or social security) and at least:  
    EUR 53,451.00 for R2 research scholars
    EUR 71,949.00 for senior research scholars.

IIASA salaries are:

  • 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).

additional 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 for employees in scientific and professional categories hired from international locations.
  • 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:

Carl Schleussner, ICI Research Group Leader
or
Keywan Riahi, ECE Program Director 

 

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

 

Applications

To apply for this opportunity, you will need to provide the following documents in English: 

  • A cover letter outlining your motivation for and fit to the position.
  • A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
  • The names, addresses (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of two reference givers. 
Deadline for receipt of applications: 30 September 2025
APPLY

Applications

To apply for this opportunity, you will need to provide the following documents in English: 

  • A cover letter outlining your motivation for and fit to the position.
  • A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
  • The names, addresses (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of two reference givers. 
Deadline for receipt of applications: 30 September 2025
APPLY