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Job offer: Postdoctoral researcher in climate change and urban health

Description

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in the following main areas: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases; Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health.  ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction (received the first accreditation in 2019 and renewed it in 2024), a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

Venue

Barcelona, Campus Mar

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

In the framework of our Centre for Excellence Severo Ochoa Programme (CEX2023-001290-S), we are recruiting an enthusiastic, self-motivated post-doctoral researcher with strong quantitative analysis skills to join our dynamic team in the Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health research programme. 

The work will make use of data developed in two Horizon Europe funded projects we coordinate: Climate Action To Advance Healthy Societies in Europe (CATALYSE, GA 101057131) and the Urban Burden of Disease Estimation for Policy Making (UBD Policy, GA 101094639). CATALYSE aims to provide new knowledge, data and tools to close the knowledge-to-action gap to accelerate climate change action and protect public health in Europe. UBD Policy aims to improve the estimation of health and well-being impacts and socio-economic costs of major urban environmental hazards. 

The postdoctoral researcher will develop projections of future health burdens attributable to urban environmental exposures affected by climate change mitigation (e.g. air pollution, green space) under detailed, policy-relevant scenarios developed through the CATALYSE project. The research will leverage a large dataset of 1000 cities developed through UBD Policy, to explore in depth the implications of European climate policy on urban health using state-of-the-art health impact modelling methods. 

The researcher will be based in the research group of Research Professor, Cathryn Tonne, with co-supervision from other ISGlobal investigators with expertise in health impact assessment and climate science. The researcher would be embedded in an institutional working group focused on Climate Action and Health as well as the international, inter-disciplinary CATALYSE and UBD Policy consortiums, offering networking and training opportunities for early-career researchers. 
This position will be supported by funding from the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2024-2028” Program (CEX 2023-0001290-S) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Spanish Research State Agency (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

  • PhD (or equivalent) in epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics or related discipline 
  • Demonstrated record of scientific achievement in epidemiology or environmental health; experience with health impact assessment is an asset
  • Experience with statistical analysis and managing complex data in R 
  • Excellent quantitative and programming skills
  • Motivated, self-directed researcher capable of setting and meeting deadlines and delivering research outputs 
  • Strong organization and team-working skills
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills 
  • Proficiency in English (written and spoken) 

KEY RESPONSABILITIES

  • Responsibilities include conducting novel research quantifying the future health burdens attributable to urban environmental exposures in Europe, with a specific focus on vulnerable populations (e.g. children, elderly, low socioeconomic position). 

SPECIFIC DUTIES

  • Processing climate data
  • Conducting statistical analyses and leading manuscripts for publication 
  • Coordinating large health and environmental exposure databases 
  • Drafting original articles for publication in high impact journals
  • Disseminating findings at conferences, workshops, scientific journals, and other channels
  • Playing an active role to in the institutional Climate Action and Health working group 

AUXILIAR TASKS

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder. 

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.
 

SKILLS

  • Good interpersonal, communication, presentation, and academic writing skills and ability to work independently.

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety. The post holder will respect, and accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

LANGUAGE LEVEL

Proficiency in English (written and spoken)

CONDITIONS

  • Duration: 3/4 years 
  • Starting date:    October/November 2024
  • Contract: (part or full time): Full time
  • Salary Range: According to experience and profile

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be pass. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.
 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must fill in the request form, attach the CV and a Cover Letter describing research interest and plans at ISGlobal. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname. 

The receipt of applications will be open until a candidate is selected.

Only the applications submitted through the request form will be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We welcome diverse candidates according to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

Please contact cathryn.tonne@isglobal.org for questions about this position.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

ISGlobal supports the initiative #ScienceforUkraine. Therefore,  to sustain Ukraine’s presence in the European Research Area and international scholarly community, candidates from Ukraine on all levels of scholarly career are welcome: students, PhD candidates, early career researchers and senior scholars.
We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.