Research Assistant: Energy Access and Poverty

The successful applicant will join a team analyzing a wide range of issues about energy economics and climate change. Her/his research will focus on modeling energy use among the global poor with the MESSAGE model and its extensions. The purpose of the research is to inform international policy efforts, such as the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All initiative, that aim to improve health, gender equality, education, and economic development by improving the access and affordability of modern energy  services in developing regions. An additional objective of this research is to evaluate the potential synergies and tradeoffs between achieving universal modern energy access goals and other energy, development, and climate goals. Exploring future pathways that aim at achieving multiple policy priorities simultaneously, and that align different goals will be part of the focus of this research.

Applicants must be prepared to process and manage large datasets, become proficient with a complex energy system model, and analyze results. In addition, applicants must be prepared to develop new modeling approaches and think critically and independently about her/his research. 

Requirements:

Candidates should have (or be close to completing) a Master’s in economics or in science (engineering, physics) coupled with some economic background, at a minimum. Proficiency with programming and/or statistical software such as GAMS, R, Python, STATA, or SAS is highly desired – the applicant will be expected to use and further develop an existing set of R scripts that operate iteratively with the MESSAGE energy system model and describe the standalone “Access” model that is a residential energy end-use and choice model for developing countries. Experience in economic/energy modeling and empirical analysis is also an important pre-requisite. Interest in issues related to energy poverty and access in developing countries is a prerequisite, and previous experience working on these topics is also beneficial. 

The selected candidate will interact with researchers of different nationalities, and have the chance to present scientific papers at conferences and workshops. IIASA offers an interdisciplinary workplace, with strong ties to a world-wide network of research institutions engaged in environmental and energy research and in particular on the analysis of climate change issues.

Appointment Terms:

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

The successful candidate is expected to assume his/her duties as soon as possible in 2016 and will be offered an initial appointment of up to two years, with an evaluation after the first one.

IIASA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package (moving and settlement allowances, educational grants for children of school age, and five weeks’ annual vacation). IIASA salaries are exempt from taxation in the host country of Austria but subject to the principle of income aggregation.

IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply. In the case that candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to applicants who are nationals of IIASA member countries.

Applications:

To apply, please email the following:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae
• A letter of application outlining your motivation and fit to the position 
• The names and contact details of two work-related reference givers
• At least one letter of recommendation  

To: Ms. Alia Harrison, Recruitment Coordinator, Human Resources Department,
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA),
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
E-mail: harrison@iiasa.ac.at

Deadline for receipt of applications: 31 August 2016.