Postdoc: (Co)benefits of nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation

Are you keen to contribute to increasing climate-resilience in Europe? Would you like to study the economics of nature-based solutions for climate-resilience? Then you may be the ideal candidate to join the Institute for Environmental Studies.

Postdoc: (Co)benefits of nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation

The Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) has a new position for a postdoctoral researcher in the field of environmental economics. The researcher will become part of a new 4 year interdisciplinary research program (GRACE) funded by Horizon Europe, which aims to study and assess climate change adaptation (CCA) solutions in remote EU regions. The CCA solutions proposed are expected to generate benefits both at the local scale in remote local communities, and co-benefits at the wider scale of the territories, including urban and peri-urban areas. The specific co-benefits depend strongly on the specific problem and CCA solution, but may include improved water quality, lower flood risk, traded goods with regional markets such as agroforestry and pastoral products, and recreational benefits related to biodiversity and landscape management.

An important part of the project is co-design of research and co-creation of knowledge with a wide variety of consortium partners from various EU regions. An inter- or multidisciplinary background and good communication skills are therefore important assets. In this position you will collaborate with various EU regions and associated stakeholders to assist them in the generation and application of findings in a cost-benefit framework to assess the economic viability of CCA solutions. You will lead the valuation work, using new surveys and benefit transfer techniques. The researcher will be supervised by Dr Marije Schaafsma and Dr Mark Koetse.

Your duties

• You design and implement survey-based valuation for key CCA benefits and co-benefits
• You publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals and policy-oriented journals
• You teach in Bachelor and/or Master’s educational programmes and supervise Bachelor and Master students
• You contribute to project tasks, milestones and deliverables, and contribute to project management, meetings and activities such as workshop organisation

Your profile

• You have a finalised PhD in (environmental) economics or a related social science discipline
• You have strong quantitative analytical skills
• You have good communication skills in English and one other European language
• You have experience in teaching and MSc/BSc supervision
• Management skills and experience in EU projects are an asset

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, even if you do not fully meet all the requirements.

What we offer

An exciting postdoc position in a socially-engaged organisation with a supportive project team and an active early-career scientist community. At IVM you contribute to education, research and service for a better world.

• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially start with a 1 year contract with the possibility to extend with one year
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalised benefits package

About the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)

IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognised for its high-quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of its research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM’s research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Geography, Environmental Policy Analysis; and Water and Climate Risk. Since 2001 IVM has been part of the Faculty of Science at VU Amsterdam.

The department of Environmental Economics leads the institute’s efforts in improving insights into the interaction between the environment and the economy. The department is one of the main groups of environmental economists in Europe, consisting of around 35 scientific staff and PhD researchers. The department strategy is to consolidate and further strengthen its position as a major player in the European field of environmental economics. Important fields of application include climate change, energy, circular economy, water, ecosystem services, and environmental and natural resource management. The philosophy of the department is to closely integrate its research projects with its teaching programme and to initiate and conduct research jointly with stakeholders and collaborating institutes.

Faculty of Science

Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.