Deadline: until filled

41-2023

41-2023

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Spatial data scientist

Integrated Biosphere Futures (IBF) Research group

The IBF Research Group, part of the IIASA Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR) Program, is offering an opportunity for a spatial data scientist who will work on processing and analyzing land-use, land management and international trade related large datasets.

BACKGROUND

The IBF Research Group adopts an integrated approach to sustainable land use and ecosystems modeling taking into account i) interactions between different economic sectors, including agriculture, forestry, bioenergy, and fisheries, ii) synergies and trade-offs between multiple societal objectives, including, but not limited to, GHG emissions and climate change mitigation, climate change impacts and adaptation, food security, sustainable nutrient and water management, and biodiversity, iii) across different spatial and temporal scales, going from pixel through the country level up to the global scale, and from annual to a hundred year time horizon.

The group is strongly connected to the international academic community, placing emphasis on transdisciplinary synergies, and applied approaches. The work accomplished has long been recognized through regular publications in high-ranking scientific journals, and the BNR Program includes several Top 1% highly cited researchers. In addition, BNR is recognized as a reliable partner in support of national policy making and international multilateral processes.

the Position

The modeling efforts within BNR/IBF rely on large spatial datasets and databases. In current Horizon Europe projects these are to be updated and extended in terms of their spatial and thematic resolution. This requires the processing and harmonization of raster and shapefile data, ensuring their consistency. Moreover, future high-resolution projections of land-use and other key agricultural variables are a key product of the IBF group’s modeling efforts. Producing these requires considerable expertise in applied spatial data science.

The spatial data scientist will be responsible for the design and development of databases, analyzing large datasets, and developing a data ecosystem around existing models within BNR/IBF. Data to be integrated can be as diverse as agricultural market accounts, spatial land, and crop cover dataset, GHG emission inventories, land use change timeseries in long term scenarios. Additionally, the successful candidate will apply statistical and machine learning algorithms to identify correlations and trends in the data and perform quality control of data. This role requires a high degree of technical skill, analytical thinking, and the ability to communicate complex data and insights to a variety of researchers.

MAIN Tasks AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collect and process large spatial datasets and design the database architecture around the GLOBIOM and downscalR models, including linkages to other IBF/BNR models.
• Develop, maintain, and document official database processing streams to models, including for spatial datasets, and supervise their consistent integration into the models.
• Develop tools for performing quality control of data sources and databases being used for model activities.
• Develop automated tests and routines to ease data sharing among and across partners and projects.
• Analyze and interpret data and model projections using statistical and mathematical methods, tests, and data mining algorithms.
• Produce reports and presentations to communicate results.
• Troubleshoot and resolve data issues.
• Provide technical support and training to other team members.
• In line with the team spirit that prevails at IIASA, the incumbent may occasionally work on other tasks assigned by their superiors, that might not be directly related to this appointment but where the post holder has relevant experience and skills, and/or a shortage of immediate personnel capabilities requires such.

REquirements

• PhD degree, or master’s degree with relevant experience, in a quantitative field such as statistics, mathematics, economics, environmental sciences or computer science.
• Proficiency in R or Python programming languages.
• Knowledge of statistical and mathematical methods.
• Experience with GIS and big data processing desirable.
• Experience with integrating data workflows into online applications is an asset.
• A strong interest in land use and environmental science and familiarity with relevant datasets is an asset.
• Experience with time series analysis.
• Excellent command of English, both in spoken and written form.
• Ability to work well both independently as well as part of a team.
• IIASA offers an interdisciplinary and international workplace, and the possibility to interact with researchers of different nationalities, with strong ties to a world-wide network of research institutions engaged in environmental systems research. The successful candidate must be able to work in, and have respect for, an intercultural environment, and IIASA core values.

Appointment Terms

The selected candidate should be available to take up the position as soon as possible in 2023. We offer an initial fixed-term, two-year, full-time (40 hours per week) employment contract, with the possibility of extension thereafter. Eligible applicants wishing to work part-time hours may be considered.

Duties will be carried out at the IIASA premises in Laxenburg, near Vienna in Austria.

The successful candidate will be appointed in accordance with the IIASA profiles for research careers.

WE OFFER

• An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas.
• The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global wellbeing.
• The opportunity to deepen and improve knowledge and scientific profile.
• Career development perspectives.
• An attractive salary which is exempt from income tax in Austria and negotiable, based on the qualifications, skills and experience of the selected individual and at least:

  
  EUR 48,050.00 for R2 Research Scholars.
  EUR 36,875.00 for R1 Researchers.

  In addition, IIASA salaries are:

• Subject to deductions for health insurance and/or social security.
• Not directly comparable with other employers in Austria, due to the unique legal status and privileges granted to IIASA.
• Subject to the principle of income aggregation (Progressionsvorbehalt in German).

OTHER BENEFITS

• Educational subsidies for children of school age enrolled in private schools in Austria.
• A generous annual leave entitlement.
• Moving and settlement allowances and paid home leave for employees in scientific and professional categories hired from international locations.
• The possibility to work up to 100 days per year in home office (within Austria)
• Assistance for newcomers to Austria with visa, work and residency permit applications.
• Support finding accommodation in Austria.
  
  Further details here.

About IIASA

IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce. This is reflected in our IIASA core values. We encourage qualified candidates from all religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply. In the case that candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to applicants from countries where IIASA has a Member Organization.

Further Information

For further information about this opportunity please contact Michael Le Gohebel, BNR/IBF Program and Project Officer or Petr Havlik, BNR Program Director/IBF Research Group Leader.

For general information about working at IIASA, contact: recruitment@iiasa.ac.at

Applications

In order to apply for this opportunity, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A cover letter outlining your motivation for and fit to the position
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae
• The names, addresses (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of two work-related reference givers.

Deadline for receipt of applications: until filled

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