JOB ADVERTISEMENT
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term (2.5 year) position as a Postdoctoral researcher in Development Economics at the Centre for Economic Research on Inclusivity and Sustainability (CERIS) and the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, at the University of Galway, Ireland.
This position is funded by the European Commission and is available immediately. While start and end dates are somewhat flexible, within the constraints of the project, the Postdoctoral Researcher would need to be in place not later than September 2025. The available funding will support a full-time 2.5 years (30 months) Postdoctoral position.
We are ideally looking to hire a researcher with a development economics (or similar) background, with expertise in quantitative methods, causal inference and experience of RCTs. The successful candidate will play a key role in designing and implementing an impact evaluation that is a central part of the recently funded project “Anticipatory Climate Adaptation for Communities in Africa” (ACACIA). The researcher will be part of the CERIS research group based in the Discipline of Economics at the University of Galway.
Project description:
ACACIA is a 4-year consortium research project (2024-2028) funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe funding programme. The overall objective of ACACIA is to enhance the resilience of at-risk communities in Sub-Saharan Africa to climate impacts, particularly from floods and tropical cyclones, by improving the ways climate services are produced, communicated and used for making short-term and long-term decisions. A core part of the project involves the implementation of a comprehensive early warning and anticipatory actions programme across communities vulnerable to tropical cyclones and flooding in Madagascar. This programme is to be delivered by Malagasy Red Cross, one of our project partners. The University of Galway, in collaboration with the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) Norway, is responsible for conducting an impact evaluation (as a randomized controlled trial) to assess the impacts of this programme on a range of social and economic outcomes at the individual, household and community levels. The impact evaluation component of the project is being led by Jon Einar Flatnes (CMI), Carlo Koos (University of Bergen) and Thomas K.J. McDermott (University of Galway). The ACACIA project includes researchers from multiple disciplines, including economics, political science, climate science, and development studies.
Salary: Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €44,846 - €57,332 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.
The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale
(subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale. (Research Salary Scales - University of Galway)
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on the 16th December 2024. It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The successful candidate will play a key role in designing and implementing an impact evaluation that is a central part of the recently funded project “Anticipatory Climate Adaptation for Communities in Africa” (ACACIA). The position will be based in the CERIS research group and the Discipline of Economics at the University of Galway, and the post-doctoral researcher will work closely with Dr Thomas K.J. McDermott, as well as external collaborators as part of the ACACIA project.
Duties:
• Conduct research (both independently and as part of a team) in the area of the economics of climate adaptation and risk, specifically:
o Contribute to the design and implementation of an impact evaluation (in the form of a randomized controlled trial).
o Contribute to the completion of a research ethics application at University of Galway.
o Contribute to the completion of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and Data Management Plan.
o Participate in field work in Madagascar.
o Provide research support and guidance to the team involved in data gathering
o Carry out high-quality data analysis.
• Contribute to the writing of scientific papers and reports for international journals and progress reporting to other researchers (in the ACACIA consortium) and project funders.
• Contribute to the writing of policy briefs and other non-academic outputs related to the research.
• Assist with the coordination of research activities and actively contribute to research outputs to meet project milestones.
• Engage in close collaboration with project stakeholders and partners, including for example Malagasy Red Cross.
• Participate in regular project meetings in-person and online.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
- Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Essential Requirements:
• PhD in Economics or Agricultural Economics, Political Science, or a related field (candidates that have submitted their thesis and are awaiting viva prior to start date will be considered)
• Advanced quantitative methodological knowledge and/or experience, particularly in causal inference.
- A thematic focus on development, ideally with experience working on climate adaptation and risk among vulnerable communities.
- A record of (or a potential for) publishing in high-quality journals.
- Excellent writing and communication skills in English.
- Field research experience or willingness to do field research.
Desirable Requirements:
• Experience with randomised control trials (RCTs) in the field.
• Experience with GIS software.
• Experience working with large-scale climate or environmental data.
• Experience and/or willingness to conduct inter-disciplinary research.
• Experience completing a research ethics (or “institutional review board”) application.
• A high level of independence and self-leadership.
• Willingness to collaborate and work as part of a team to create a respectful, inclusive and mutually supportive environment, towards achievement of common objectives.
• Ability to speak French.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see HERE for further information.
To Apply: Jobs - University of Galway. Applications must be submitted online.
- How to apply guide
- Applicants should submit as part of their application: a short cover letter, outlining their interest in and suitability for this particular role; a curriculum vitae; a copy of one recent publication or working paper; and the names of two suitably qualified persons who are willing and able to provide letters of recommendation.
- For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Thomas K.J. McDermott, Galway University Foundation Lecturer in the Economics of Climate and Development, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, Email: thomas.mcdermott@universityofgalway.ie