Postdoctoral Position : Ecological Macroeconomics, Universitat De Barcelona, Spain

Regional Studies Association; Madrid; Presencial; EUR 37.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Una empresa innovadora busca un investigador postdoctoral en economía ecológica para un emocionante proyecto de investigación. Este papel implica desarrollar un modelo macroeconómico que integre indicadores de bienestar humano y sostenibilidad ambiental. Se espera que el candidato ideal tenga un PhD y experiencia en métodos cuantitativos y programación. El proyecto tiene como objetivo ampliar las opciones de políticas para lograr la sostenibilidad y el bienestar humano, desafiando la noción tradicional de crecimiento económico. Si tienes pasión por la investigación y deseas contribuir a un futuro sostenible, esta es tu oportunidad.

Formación

• Experiencia en métodos de investigación cuantitativa y programación.
• PhD en economía ecológica o áreas relacionadas es un requisito.

Responsabilidades

• Desarrollar un modelo macroeconómico ecológico innovador.
• Evaluar paquetes de políticas para desacoplar el bienestar humano del crecimiento económico.

Conocimientos

Métodos de investigación cuantitativa

Programación informática

Modelado dinámico

Análisis de insumo-producto

Aprendizaje automático

Resolución de problemas

Escritura profesional

Habilidades organizativas

Educación

PhD en economía ecológica

PhD en ciencias naturales / sociales

PhD en estudios ambientales

Herramientas

Modelos macroeconómicos existentes

Eurogreen

LowGrow SFC

PyMedeas

Descripción del empleo

Position : Postdoctoral Researcher in Ecological Macroeconomics

Location : University of Barcelona, Spain

Start Date : April 2025

Salary : €36,250 gross per year

We are seeking applications for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher in ecological economics to work on the exciting research project entitled MAPS (Models, Assessment, and Policies for Sustainability).

The goal of the project is to broaden the range of policy options to help achieve sustainability, equity, and human wellbeing. It is a 4-year Horizon Europe research project and is coordinated by Dan O'Neill and Federico Demaria at the University of Barcelona. This is a 2-year position, with an anticipated start date of April 2025.

There is an urgent need to reconcile human development with sustainability. The lack of evidence for sufficient absolute decoupling between economic growth and environmental pressures means that future trajectories building on economic growth may not be possible. Therefore, high-income countries should move beyond the pursuit of GDP growth as a central policy goal, in order to ensure human wellbeing and social outcomes and reduce resource use to remain within planetary boundaries.

The postdoctoral researcher will help develop a novel ecological macroeconomic model that includes a wide range of indicators of human wellbeing and environmental sustainability (such as those in the "Doughnut" of social and planetary boundaries). Drawing on post-growth research, the model will be used to assess policy packages and scenarios with the aim of decoupling human wellbeing from economic growth and environmental pressures.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in an area such as ecological economics, heterodox economics, environmental studies, natural / social sciences, etc. Expertise in quantitative research methods and computer programming is essential. Knowledge of topics such as dynamic modelling (e.g. macro-economic modelling or system dynamics), human wellbeing, planetary boundaries, provisioning systems, machine learning, and / or input-output analysis is desirable. Experience with existing (ecological) macroeconomic models (e.g. Eurogreen, LowGrow SFC, PyMedeas) would be advantageous. Note that we do not expect a single candidate to know all of these areas.

We strongly value motivation and initiative, along with skills such as problem solving, professional writing, organisational skills, and the ability to work as part of an international team. The position will be based in the Faculty of Economics, at the University of Barcelona (Spain), under the supervision of Dr Daniel O'Neill and Dr Federico Demaria.

Completion of a PhD by the start date of the contract is a requirement for the position.

Please send your CV (maximum 10 pages), PhD diploma, a 1-page cover letter, and a 1-page research proposal to Dr Daniel O'Neill and Dr Federico Demaria at: