Incarico Post-Doc - MATH-06/A - Optimisation models and algorithms for reducing the climate impact of air transport

Università degli Studi di Trieste; Italia; On-site; EUR 29,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Università degli Studi di Trieste seeks a First Stage Researcher (R1) in Mathematics to develop optimisation models and efficient algorithms for climate impact in aviation. The role includes research and supplementary teaching activities in Operations Research, with public outreach contributions.

The project will explore CO2 and non-CO2 effects, trajectory optimisation, and robust/stochastic approaches across the European airspace context. This is a temporary research appointment.

Qualifications

• The position is for a First Stage Researcher (R1) in the field of Mathematics with a focus on optimization and climate-related aviation modelling.
• Involves contribution to research on multi‑objective trajectory optimisation and associated stochastic/robust methods.

Responsibilities

• Carry out research on mathematical optimisation models for climate-impact analysis in air transport.
• Assist in teaching Activities in Operations Research courses (MATH-06/A).
• Engage in public outreach and contribute to dissemination initiatives.

Job description

Organisation/Company Università degli Studi di Trieste Department HR - Academic Staff Research Field Mathematics » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 6 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Rome) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Reference Number 26-IPD-DIA-Castelli Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The research activity concerns the formulation of mathematical optimisation models and the development of efficient solution algorithms to assess the effects of regulatory instruments aimed at reducing the climate impact of air transport. In addition to CO₂ emissions, other components of aviation's climate impact will be considered, such as contrails and nitrogen oxide emissions. These non-CO₂ effects depend significantly on route, altitude, time of day and atmospheric conditions, and can therefore be reduced through an appropriate choice of trajectory. To this end, multi-objective trajectory optimisation models will be developed to balance operating costs against climate impact. Incentive and economic compensation schemes will also be designed, such as revenue redistribution or reduced route charges, so as not to increase overall costs for airlines. Their effects will be evaluated both on individual flights and across the entire European network. The evaluation will take into account airspace capacity constraints and the main sources of uncertainty, such as weather forecasts and climate modelling, through stochastic or robust optimisation approaches, with sensitivity analyses on the model parameters.

The selected researcher will carry out supplementary teaching activities in Operations Research courses (scientific-disciplinary sector MATH-06/A), supporting theoretical and practical exercise sessions. As regards third-mission activities, they will be required to give at least one public outreach talk on their research topics and to contribute to the public engagement initiatives promoted by the research group

The research activity concerns the formulation of mathematical optimisation models and the development of efficient solution algorithms to assess the effects of regulatory instruments aimed at reducing the climate impact of air transport. In addition to CO₂ emissions, other components of aviation's climate impact will be considered, such as contrails and nitrogen oxide emissions. These non-CO₂ effects depend significantly on route, altitude, time of day and atmospheric conditions, and can therefore be reduced through an appropriate choice of trajectory. To this end, multi-objective trajectory optimisation models will be developed to balance operating costs against climate impact. Incentive and economic compensation schemes will also be designed, such as revenue redistribution or reduced route charges, so as not to increase overall costs for airlines. Their effects will be evaluated both on individual flights and across the entire European network. The evaluation will take into account airspace capacity constraints and the main sources of uncertainty, such as weather forecasts and climate modelling, through stochastic or robust optimisation approaches, with sensitivity analyses on the model parameters.

Specific Requirements

The research activity concerns the formulation of mathematical optimisation models and the development of efficient solution algorithms to assess the effects of regulatory instruments aimed at reducing the climate impact of air transport. In addition to CO₂ emissions, other components of aviation's climate impact will be considered, such as contrails and nitrogen oxide emissions. These non-CO₂ effects depend significantly on route, altitude, time of day and atmospheric conditions, and can therefore be reduced through an appropriate choice of trajectory. To this end, multi-objective trajectory optimisation models will be developed to balance operating costs against climate impact. Incentive and economic compensation schemes will also be designed, such as revenue redistribution or reduced route charges, so as not to increase overall costs for airlines. Their effects will be evaluated both on individual flights and across the entire European network. The evaluation will take into account airspace capacity constraints and the main sources of uncertainty, such as weather forecasts and climate modelling, through stochastic or robust optimisation approaches, with sensitivity analyses on the model parameters.