Predoctoral Researcher for PARTY project: Participatory evaluation of climate change adaptation in urban areas

About the Position

The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) offers a full-time predoctoral researcher position to support the development of the project “PARTY – Participatory evaluation of climate change adaptation in urban areas.” This project is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), the State Research Agency (AEI), and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under the “Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento y Actuaciones para la formación de personal investigador predoctoral 2024” Call (ref. PID2024-161042OA-I00), led by Dr. Marta Olazabal.

This is a 3-year research project that will be developed within the framework of the Adaptation Lab (Research Line 4) and the cross-cutting Urban Theme at BC3. PARTY will be carried out in collaboration with the team of the ERC-funded project IMAGINE Adaptation.

About the Project

IMAGINE Adaptation addresses the imperative of evaluating adaptation in urban areas as a complex phenomenon with implications across governance scales. PARTY develops a new research line by focusing on evaluation processes led and participated in by affected communities and alternative stakeholders. The project aims to investigate how participatory evaluation processes can enable more just and transformative climate change adaptation in urban areas. PARTY will involve participatory work with four communities and connected urban adaptation interventions in Spain (Seville, Madrid, and Cordoba) and overseas (Bogota).

Responsibilities

• Develop a research proposal that aligns with the overarching objectives of the PARTY and IMAGINE Adaptation projects.
• Conduct original research and produce three peer-reviewed scientific articles over the course of the PhD project, forming the basis of the PhD dissertation.
• Support the PI and team with research tasks such as literature reviews, designing workshop activities, analyzing results, and drafting articles.
• Maintain communication and good relationships with project partners during the project.
• Assist with the facilitation of workshops and reporting of results to the local communities and other groups in Madrid, Sevilla, Córdoba, and Bogotá.
• Support the organization and logistics of project meetings and workshops (online and in person).
• Assist with the preparation of project materials such as summaries, reports, policy briefs, and other written outputs.
• Report outputs and processes in PARTY and IMAGINE Adaptation team meetings.

Requirements

Required:

• Meet the academic requirements for admission to a doctoral program: a Bachelor’s degree - including degrees in Engineering or Architecture - followed by a Master’s degree, or an equivalent qualification totaling at least 300 ECTS credits under the European Credit Transfer System.
• MSc degree (or equivalent education and training) in the fields of Environmental Sciences, Geography, Political Sciences, or related fields.
• Strong interest in research in topics such as community-led climate adaptation and participatory urban governance (e.g., MSc thesis in related topic).
• Excellent command of English and Spanish.
• Experience producing scientific outputs (evidenced by published papers or reports).

Desirable:

• Experience organizing participatory activities (e.g., workshops).
• Experience using qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and participatory methods (e.g., group discussions, photovoice).
• Experience producing non-scientific written outputs for broader relevant audiences (evidenced by reports, blogs, policy briefs, or similar).
• Experiential knowledge of community-driven adaptation interventions at the local scale.

We Offer

• Interdisciplinary and inspiring work environment.
• Quiet and spacious workspaces.
• Possibility of participating in the internal training and academic activities of the centre.
• Standard 35-hour workweek calendar.
• 30 days of vacation per year.
• 1 day per week for remote working at home.

Term of Contract

The contract will be for a period of four (4) years, including a six-month probationary period based on performance. Although the project duration is three (3) years, the funding for this position is secured for the entire contract term (four years).

Salary

The position will carry a minimum salary of 19,000€ gross/year for the first 2 years, and will be reviewed for the rest of the contract period.

Location

Basque Centre for Climate Change, Leioa, Spain.

Application Procedure

Fill the form below and upload one PDF document with the following information:

1. CV (4 pages max.) including contacts of two referees.
2. One-page MOTIVATION LETTER.
3. Half-page bulleted list explaining how you meet the requirements of this job offer. You may include links to relevant previous work/project/initiative.

DO NOT INCLUDE CERTIFICATES or any other documents other than those explicitly requested above.

Deadline

19 Octubre, 2025 (CET 5:00pm).

Informal Enquiries

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr. Marta Olazabal ([email protected]) and Dr. Cecilia Alda Vidal ([email protected]), noting in the subject of the message “PhD PARTY”.

Contract cofinanced by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FSE+, GRANT reference PID2024-161042OA-I00

As an HR Excellence awarded institution, BC3 is committed to conciliating research-academic requirements and family duties. BC3 is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for people independently of gender, culture, and race. Anyone with relevant qualifications is therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.