Research Assistant

About the Position

Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) is offering a full-time Research Assistant (RA) position for two years, with a potential for extension, and a six-month initial trial period.

LIFE URBAN KLIMA 2050 is a European project involving over twenty organizations in the Basque Autonomous Community (including BC3). The main goal of the project is to set the objectives and goals of the URBAN KLIMA 2050 Climate Change Strategy for the Basque Autonomous Community over the six years of the project, by carrying out several actions and pilot projects. Specifically, BC3 will assist in:

1. Urban climate change and health policies. Coordination (supervisor): Dr. Aline Chiabai
2. Technical training of public administration in the face of climate change. Coordination (supervisor): Estíbaliz Sanz
3. Developing a climate risk governance model tailored to the Basque Autonomous Community. Coordination (supervisor): Dr. Marta Olazabal

The level of dedication to each activity will vary during the contract period, according to the project's needs and the established work schedule, and will be managed by the internal coordinator of the project at BC3. In general, and for each of these activities, the selected person will have responsibilities such as (among others):

• Researching the state of urban climate change and health policies (including scientific and grey literature) and appropriate procedures
• Studying the competencies and functions of the public administrations of the Basque Autonomous Community
• Studying the scope and regulations of urban planning in the Basque Autonomous Community
• Reviewing and selecting appropriate mechanisms for managing and planning climate risks in the Basque Autonomous Community
• Assisting in preparing materials, and organizing events, workshops, seminars, surveys, and interviews
• Assisting in creating databases and conducting technical analysis of collected information
• Assisting in preparing documents to be delivered within the project
• Communicating and coordinating with technical and non-technical stakeholders, under the supervision of the activity leaders
• Assisting in preparing materials for internal coordination at BC3 and for external dissemination

The selected person will be physically located in Leioa (Bizkaia), in the EHU Science Park, at BC3 facilities. The selected person will be directly supervised by Estibaliz Sanz (project coordinator at BC3), and will work closely with Dr. Aline Chiabai and Dr. Marta Olazabal, according to the needs of the project. It is expected that the applicant will comply with the code of conduct and ethics established by the host institution (BC3).

Requirements

• Experience in researching sustainability and climate change-related policies
• Experience in analyzing sectoral and urban policies and tools for territorial and urban planning
• Proficiency in project management, or experience in applied consultancy or research projects
• Fluency (provable) in Spanish, Basque, and English
• Proficiency (provable) in using databases, spreadsheets, and text processors
• Good oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and proven ability to work in a multicultural team

Nice to Have

• International experience

We Offer

• Inclusion in the Adaptation Lab research line at BC3
• Opportunity to develop a scientific career, based on the annual preparation of an individual scientific plan
• 35-hour workweek
• 30 days of annual leave
• One day of telework per week
• Opportunity to participate in internal training, learning, or activities related to the center's corporate social responsibility
• Excellent work environment
• Quiet and spacious work areas

About the Position

The position will be for two years, but it can be extended if the work is performed well. The initial trial period will be six months.

Salary

The gross annual salary is 24,000 euros.

Location

Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Bizkaia.

Contract Start Date

October 1, 2020

As an organization that has received the Excellence in Human Resources award, BC3 is committed to reconciling academic conditions and family obligations in research. BC3 has a special responsibility for equality of opportunity for women and men. Therefore, women of any culture with the appropriate qualifications are encouraged to apply for the position.

Applicants should submit only the following in their application:

• A one-page motivation letter
• Curriculum Vitae (length at the applicant's discretion)

*** Both documents in a single PDF file. ***

Applications should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “RA UrbanKlima”. For any queries regarding the nature of this position, write to Estibaliz Sanz at [email protected]. The evaluation committee will inform the candidates who advance in the first selection phase. It may be necessary to request additional information to verify the application information. Candidates selected in the first round will be invited for an interview in the first half of September.

Application Deadline

August 28, 2020