Polítiques

PhD POSITION SC POLICIES

Interdependence between climate policy, growth, inequality and other environmental problems

STARTING DATE 
June-July 2022 
 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

The Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), is looking for highly motivated candidates who can develop PhD research on the interdependence between climate policy, growth, inequality and other environmental problems. The hired person would be funded by a PhD scholarship (FPI) by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, which will start in September 2022. Additional funds are available for acquiring data, conducting fieldwork, attending conferences or organizing short-term visits to international research centres. 

The PhD research project is fairly open. It aims to tackle a number of issues on the interface of climate policy, growth/post-growth and inequality. We are interested in modelling the impact of climate change and climate policies on economic activity while accounting for inequality in income and consumption; we are also open to undertaking questionnaire surveys to assess how citizens and policy-makers envision the role of economic growth and inequality in the context of climate solutions. Other questions that interest us include: assessment of the potential contribution to climate mitigation of unorthodox economic policies, such as a universal basic income, a job guarantee or working hours reductions; lessons from the lockdown experience and the economic policies adopted during the covid pandemic for addressing climate change; policies to limit environmental problem-shifting, that is interventions that address one problem (say climate change) at the expense of creating others (e.g., biodiversity loss). The specific focus of the research would be decided through a series of brainstorms between the PhD student and supervisors, while taking into account also the background and experience of the student. 

REQUIRED SKILLS 

• Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in relevant such as environmental sciences/studies, social sciences, policy studies, or modelling (e.g., mathematics or computer science); 

• Experience with certain research methods (e.g., surveys, statistical analysis or modelling); 

• Proficiency in English language. 

APPLICATION 

Those interested should send the following documents to pr.mdm.icta@uab.cat: 

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV); 

• A short letter motivating your interest in, and suitability for, the project. Some indication of personal interests regarding research are welcome as well. 

• Names and contact details of two referees. 

Please mention “Application to ICTA-UAB FPI PhD Position – SC POLICIES” in your email subject.  

Applications must be received no later than 27th September 2021, 23:59 CET. 

We will inform candidates about the selection outcomes in late September and subsequently invite the selected candidate to formally apply for a PhD grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The call for such a grant usually opens in October and resolves in May-June of the following year. Being selected by ICTA-UAB guarantees being selected by the Ministry. 

For more information about the procedure please contact pr.mdm.icta@uab.cat and for information about the project content please contact jeroen.bergh@uab.es or georgios.kallis@uab.cat