PhD: New Methods for Data Collection for Integrated Assessment Modelling

In this PhD position you will use your experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to work on sustainable development issues.

Your job

We are a team of researchers using integrated assessment modelling to explore global change problems. Integrated Assessment Models are used to support climate change decision making and describe the full chain of economic activities, associated energy and land use, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and their impacts to explore possible response strategies. Data plays a key role in these models, ranging from the costs of different power plants to household size in different parts of the world. At the moment, there is no single database that includes all relevant data – and as a result, data from a wide range of – sometimes unstructured – sources is used. This data is also often inconsistent, e.g. data on car use, and car efficiency is not necessarily consistent with energy consumption by cars. Novel methods of data collection, including data scrapping and the use of AI, could possibly result in a much richer set of data – but also include algorithms that enhance the consistency of the data with associated levels of uncertainty.

Your responsibility is to develop new methods of data collecting, apply these and built up a consistent data set for integrated assessment modeling. We will use the data to describe historical trends – but also make the data available for further analysis in IMAGE. In the work, we will start with specific sectors (e.g. energy use in housing) but subsequently see whether the lessons learned can be used to develop a much more comprehensive database. The database will be coupled to the IMAGE integrated assessment model, but also shared publicly.

We invite you to share your ideas and suggestions for this innovative project in your application letter.

Your qualities

You are interested in improving data collection, management, and analysis with the aim of improving integrated assessment models and you have excellent skills in using AI-tools in data collection from a diverse set of innovative sources. Furthermore, you have:

• strong and demonstrable skills in using AI and ML tools (shown by a relevant master on this topic);
• an interest in integrated assessment, climate change and sustainability issues;
• strong analytical skills;
• willingness to experiment with new data collection methods;
• excellent communication skills;
• fluent in the use of Python as a programming language.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.