Postdoctoral position OT-19003
Postdoc position in econometric analysis of land use changes in Europe - reposted
54000 Nancy
INRAE presentation
The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.
Work environment, missions and activities
As part of the Horizon project "Joined-up land use strategies tackling climate change and biodiversity loss (MOSAIC)", this postdoc seeks to understand the motivations and drivers behind land use decisions (e.g. behavioral factors, social identities, market prices, regulatory frameworks, etc.). This includes the relative importance of these drivers and their interactions, within and between levels of governance from individual land managers to supranational organizations. MOSAIC is a large multidisciplinary research consortium representing 9 European countries and 20 partners.
The first task is to carry out a systematic literature review and/or meta-analysis of the drivers and motivations behind land use change. By combining insights from different disciplinary backgrounds (economics, economic-geography, environmental psychology), the meta-analysis will go beyond the state-of-the-art of knowledge on the drivers and motivations behind land use decisions. The new analysis from behavioral studies will complement existing meta-studies in social and economic geography. The second task will consist of an econometric assessment of the drivers of land use change. We will use spatial data on climate, soil, regional economic context, etc. and data from the FADN database.
The postdoc will be based in Nancy, France and will be supervised by researchers Jens Abildtrup and Esther Devilliers (BETA/INRAE) in close collaboration with Professor Jette B. Jacobsen (University of Copenhagen) and Assistant Professor Cameron Brick (University of Amsterdam). The postdoc will also interact with other researchers in the consortium, including researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
Training and skills
Required qualifications:
- A PhD (recently acquired), preferably in environmental or behavioral economics. However, a PhD in related fields like behavioral psychology or sociology, with strong experience in statistics and quantitative analysis, is also relevant
- Experiences with econometric/advanced statistical analyses
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
Desired qualifications:
- Systematic literature review
- Meta-analysis
- Land use change modelling
- Experiences with inter-disciplinary projects
- Behavioural economics
INRAE's life quality
By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):
- up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.
How to apply
Applicants should send a letter of interest (max 1-2 pages), outlining their motivation for the position and relevant experience and competences; curriculum vitae including publications; and the names of two references. Send applications and/or any questions to Jens Abildtrup: jens.abildtrup@inrae.fr +33 3 8339 6864
All persons employed by or hosted at INRAE, a public research establishment, are subject to its internal regulations, particularly with regard to the obligation of neutrality and respect for the principle of secularism. In carrying out their functions, whether or not they are in contact with the public, they must not express their religious, philosophical or political convictions through their behaviour or by what they wear.