Your Function

Europe needs more robust, systemic, and consistent climate risk assessments at regional and local levels to guide ambitious and transformative adaptation. Yet, only a few regional and local authorities have carried out a climate risk assessment, and many of these are focused on (direct) impacts and single hazard risk, are incomplete or outdated, and not mutually comparable.

As a PhD candidate, your goal is to develop new methods for assessing climate risk due to consecutive droughts and at different scales in Europe. Based on these risk assessments, the PhD will develop methods to assess the impacts of adaptation measures to reduce climate risk.

This will be done by collecting large-scale datasets and using these datasets in a new modelling framework (GEB), which integrates Agent-Based Models, hydrological and flood models. GEB can simulate the dynamics between multiple hazard risks, how these risks impact society, the vulnerability of different sectors, and how society can respond to reduce risk (adaptation). This will enhance climate risk assessment under compound events in the European Union.

The work will be carried out in close collaboration with international project partners.

Your Duties

• Develop multi-risk simulation models for compound and consecutive floods and droughts.
• Develop new modelling tools to represent the complex systemic interactions between climate, environment, society, and human adaptation behaviour.
• Assess how adaptation can reduce climate risks under different climate scenarios.
• Present your research at scientific conferences and publish your results in scientific journals.
• Contribute approximately 10% of your time to teaching and supervising bachelor's and master's programmes.

Your Profile

We are looking for a motivated candidate to develop and apply complex system models with the following profile:

• Hold an MSc degree in Earth Science, Hydrology, Computer Science, Environmental Science, or an equivalent field.
• Have solid scientific programming skills in Python.
• Be strongly motivated to acquire advanced skills in Python and in the use of high-performance computing systems.
• Preferably have experience with hydrology, and affinity or experience with agent-based modelling and large-scale data processing with societal relevance.
• Be able to work independently and collaborate with other researchers in an interdisciplinary project and research group.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What Do We Offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organization. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research, and service for a better world. In return for your efforts, we offer:

• A gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 (PhD scale), based on full-time employment and the UFO profile PhD Candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• A position of at least 0.8 FTE.
• An initial employment contract for 1 year, with the intention to extend it for another 3 years, covering the full PhD trajectory.

We also offer attractive fringe benefits and employment arrangements, including:

• A full-time 38-hour working week with 232 hours of annual leave.
• If you choose to work 40 hours per week, you receive an additional 96 hours of annual leave each year.
• Annual leave for part-time employees is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance.
• 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• A solid ABP pension scheme.
• Contribution to commuting expenses.
• An optional model for designing a personalized benefits package.

About Us

Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)

Established in 1971, the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) is a leading environmental research institute internationally recognised for its high-quality research across a broad range of environmental disciplines and its interdisciplinary approach.

The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection through scientific research and education. IVM conducts problem-oriented research that is relevant to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally.

A unique strength of IVM is its focus on understanding sustainability challenges within their social and economic context.

IVM's research community is organised into four departments:

• Environmental Economics.
• Environmental Geography.
• Environmental Policy Analysis.
• Water and Climate Risk.

Since 2001, IVM has been part of the Faculty of Science at VU Amsterdam (legal name Stichting VU).

Department of Water and Climate Risk (WCR)

The Department of Water and Climate Risk studies hydrological and climate processes and how these processes create risks for society, the economy, and the environment.

The department applies a multidisciplinary approach by combining expertise from:

• Natural sciences.
• Economics.
• e-Science.
• Geography.

This approach has resulted in a unique research portfolio, making the department a global leader in flood and drought risk assessment and risk management research.

Faculty of Science

Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers, and researchers who are experts in their disciplines while maintaining a broad perspective on global challenges.

The faculty promotes a positive and inclusive workplace culture where colleagues work together with enthusiasm and a pragmatic attitude to address societal challenges.

Research and education span the full breadth of science—from molecules to mankind—including topics ranging from forest fires and big data to obesity, malnutrition, helium, the universe, genetics, and medicine.

The Faculty:

• Has more than 8,000 students.
• Offers 39 academic programmes.
• Employs more than 1,400 staff members across 10 scientific departments.
• Is one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research.

The university brings together open-minded experts who think freely and work with an entrepreneurial perspective, focusing on diversity, significance, and humanity to develop sustainable solutions with societal impact.

By collaborating across disciplinary boundaries, VU Amsterdam works towards a better world for people and the planet while fostering a safe, respectful, and inspiring environment for education and research.

The university is located on a single campus in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, offering excellent accessibility.

VU Amsterdam has:

• More than 6,150 staff members.
• More than 31,000 students.

Diversity

Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam.

The university strives to be accessible and welcoming to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences, and worldviews.

VU Amsterdam believes that trust, respect, curiosity, and differences lead to innovation, excellence, broader understanding, and new insights.

The university is committed to creating an inclusive community where diversity and internationalisation strengthen the quality of education, research, and services.

Applications are encouraged from people whose backgrounds and experiences contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested?

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? If so, you are encouraged to submit your application.

Please note:

• Submission of your diploma is part of the application process.
• A reference check is part of the selection procedure.
• Reference letters may either be uploaded with your application or you may provide the contact information of two referees in your CV or cover letter.
• Applications submitted by email will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Questions About the Vacancy?

Maurizio Mazzoleni
Position: Assistant Professor

Send an email

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