12739 - Senior experts for ICR strategy implementation

CMCC Position cod. 12739
Senior experts for ICR strategy implementation
Deadline: August 30th, 2025

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Institute for Climate Resilience (ICR) of CMCC deals with climate resilience of natural and human systems on a broad sense, from their coping capacity against disasters up to their ability to adapt and transform under changing conditions, while maintaining synergies with climate change mitigation. We address all that by studying, analyzing and modeling the interactions among climate, natural to managed ecosystems, and society.
At the ICR we are looking for 3 advanced career profiles (>10 years after PhD) to support the implementation of the next years’ strategy of ICR aligned with the activities of the ICR Research Divisions and with the whole CMCC strategic agenda:

1. Scientific officer on climate and ecosystems observation systems
2. Scientific coordinator for transdisciplinary initiatives on Resilience
3. Scientist on holistic and sustainable water resource management

Candidates are expected to indicate in the cover letter which profile (A, B, or C) they are applying for, and to provide at least 5 names of experts to whom ask reference letters (no letter to attach to the application).



ABOUT US
CMCC Foundation is a cross-cutting scientific research center on climate change and its interactions with the environment, society, the world of business, and policymakers. Our work aims to stimulate sustainable growth, protect the environment, and develop strategies for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. CMCC's core objective is to conduct cutting-edge science, to train the next generation of scientists at both national and international levels, and to be a beacon for climate modelling.

CMCC pursues fundamental and applied science with utmost scientific integrity, prioritizing data-driven science and providing data, information, and research results that can support informed public debate and decision-making processes. To achieve climate research objectives at the highest international standards, we invest in training all our talents, and strive to create a workplace where everyone can excel.

At CMCC you will find a strong, professional environment. Join an inclusive community that values diversity, where every voice is heard and respected. Help foster a culture of innovation and societal change, where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive and succeed.

Over the last decade, CMCC has experienced extraordinary growth. We are now embarking on a new chapter of our journey that will further boost CMCC’s global position in climate change research…Together!


To learn more about this opportunity and submit your application, please refer to the following:


ROLE A – Scientific officer on climate and ecosystems observation systems

We are seeking an experienced Scientific Officer to enhance CMCC’s role in global climate and environmental observations and related modelling initiatives, by stimulating and promoting CMCC scientific contributions in assessing the interactions between climate and ecosystems, while reinforcing participation in the international debate to bridge - and mutually reinforce - science and policy.
The ideal candidate is expected to bring i) extensive expertise in climate-ecosystem interactions’ science, ecosystem monitoring, Earth observation systems, and global climate governance; ii) strong background in coordinating/managing international research projects and scientific diplomacy; iii) proven knowledge of science-policy interface and climate negotiations.


Key Responsibilities
The selected expert is asked to:

• Establish and/or strengthen connections with international climate-ecosystem observation panels, scientific programs, and information platforms.
• Manage international collaborations and promote research activities related to climate impacts and ecosystems modelling, while engaging the respective high-level stakeholder networks.
• Facilitate networking and active participation in scientific initiatives, meetings, workshops, conferences, expert panels, working groups, peer review community papers and high-impact reports supporting international agreements.
• Coordinate growing and heterogeneous Earth Observation (EO) cross-cutting activities at ICR, providing strategic insights into their value for climate and ecosystem monitoring, including (but not limited to) carbon and water cycle assessments.
• Liaise with UN bodies (e.g., UNFCCC, UNCCD, UNDRR, WMO, FAO, WHO), EU and international government agencies, centers and programmes (e.g., EEA, ESA, Copernicus, DestinE, NASA), and scientific communities to contribute to evidence-based climate and ecosystem policies.
• Promote CMCC contribution to the update, computation and standardization of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) and to the strengthening of Observation infrastructures.
• Serve as the interface between ICR, its Divisions, the other CMCC Institutes and Strategic Programs to foster, guide and concretize shared international networking, collaboration, and fundraising opportunities.

ROLE B - Scientific coordinator for transdisciplinary initiatives on Resilience
We are looking for an expert to supervise, orchestrate and manage evidence-based and transdisciplinary research integrating approaches and frameworks for a comprehensive and scientifically-sound support to climate resilient and sustainable development.
The ideal candidate is a visionary and dynamic research leader with a proven track record in advancing transdisciplinary and impact-driven research on key climate resilience-related aspects (disaster risk reduction, adaptation, mitigation) and willing to complement them in a balanced way and under the lens of changing climate interacting with other hazards (geo-, environmental and human-related). We seek candidates excelling at bridging academic, practitioner, and policy communities to address complex challenges at the intersection of research, technological innovation, and society.


Key Responsibilities
The selected expert is asked to support in the design, oversight and implementation of research activities on rising needs towards a climate-informed development, to shape academic and policy discourse through thought leadership in resilience, and to more effectively connect scientific results and cutting-edge tools into real-world solutions. All that will be implemented by:

• Fostering internal collaboration across earth sciences, engineering, human sciences, and digital innovation, mentoring early-career researchers on such variegate aspects, while promoting inclusive environments.
• Initiating, reinforcing and managing partnerships (e.g., with international agencies and organizations, governmental bodies, academia, industry, multi-scale and multi-sectoral decision-makers and stakeholders) to expand ICR and CMCC global cooperation;
• Facilitating international collaboration and co-design of cross-sectoral transdisciplinary research with various stakeholders’ networks, from practitioners to policymakers, ensuring their inclusion in research processes.
• Securing high-impact and competitive funding for resilience-building initiatives under different public (e.g. EU, national) and private opportunities, by leading, co-leading and/or strongly contributing to major international research proposals.
• Translating scientific outputs of research into policy-relevant and community-empowering outcomes.
• Representingand positioning ICR at national and international conferences, workshops and high-level meetings, by both organizing symposia and public outreach initiatives and developing and delivering specialized lectures and seminars.

ROLE C – Scientist on holistic and sustainable water resource management
We are looking for an internationally recognized expert in water engineering and management, climate resilience, and sustainable development, with extensive experience in academia, international/UN organizations and agencies, and research institutions. The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated experience in managing policy-first initiatives on large-scale, climate-resilient water assets, especially in fragile and conflict-affected contexts; strong publication record, including peer-reviewed articles and flagship institutional reports; excellent communication skills for stakeholder engagement across public, private, and academic sectors; fluency in water-related cross-disciplinary work involving (but not limited to) climate change, migration, energy, agriculture, health, and AI applications.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership and advising in the design, oversight and implementation of research of trans-disciplinary scientific activities connecting the consolidated efforts of CMCC’s Research Divisions in studying and reproducing water resources, considering interconnected qualitative and quantitative aspects, surface to subsurface to underground dynamics, and the nexus with social and economic sectors. To cover all that, the main tasks will consist of:

• Stimulating applied research closer to real-world solutions, to benefit and advise complex, multi-country climate policy programs in the context of water security and connected aspects (e.g. food and energy security, infrastructure resilience, human health) especially in challenging environments, like fragile states and/or transboundary contexts.
• Contributing to advancing frontier research in water resource modelling and systems planning, especially by exploiting AI and systems modeling.
• Publishing both high-impact research and evidence-based reports to influence international water governance frameworks, and providing thought leadership in academic and policy circles.
• Representing the CMCC in global forums, engage with donors, and communicate complex technical findings to diverse audiences.
• Supporting the ICR Research Divisions in i) fundraising activities, by conceiving, developing and managing large both EU programme- and donor-funded projects and ii) mentoring PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in transdisciplinary water-related fields.
  
  

• PhD in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Engineering, or equivalent/associated subjects, according to the Role.
• Minimum of 10 years of post-PhD experience in the climate, environmental and/or geoscience research field.
• Excellent knowledge of the English language.
• Accuracy and good analytical skills.
• Knowledge of European, international and national funding programs, initiatives and networks.
• Proven capability to plan, organize, and supervise research and related outreach activities.
• Ability to manage teams and budgets for strategic initiatives effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

• Please note that this opportunity will be issued both internally and externally.
• The selected candidates will be based in any of the CMCC offices.
• The type of contract (permanent or fixed-term - minimum 2 years - employees) and gross annual salary will be based on qualifications and working experience, in a range from 60k€ to 85k€ per year.
• Welfare package, for a minimum of 12 months contract.
• Flexible working time as per internal policies.
• Support during the immigration process, if needed.

PROTECTED CATEGORY
Belonging to legally protected categories (ex L. 68/99) will constitute a preferential condition.
Some fiscal benefits could be applied for repatriated workers or foreign researchers/professors, having the requirements defined by Dlgs 147/2015 (for repatriates) or Dl 78/2010 (for foreigners).
CMCC is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status, and other legally protected characteristics. Please omit from your CV any data you or we might consider discriminatory.
This job announcement is an invitation to express interest in the above-mentioned CMCC Position.