Research in economics Climate Change Adaptation and Residential Mobility

2100 Dijon

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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

Research Context

Climate change adaptation operates on two interdependent levels: urban public policy (involving adaptation of buildings, urban cover, and transportation) and individual adaptation (including changes in working hours, air conditioning use, and seeking cool zones or moving to new residential areas). However, these individual adaptations can increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and particulate matter (PM2.5), worsening the climate crisis. Furthermore, these solutions create inequalities, as the most vulnerable households are often the most exposed and have the least capacity to adapt.

The postdoctoral project aims to document the effects of climate change on residential mobility. This postdoctoral project, which is part of two ongoing projects (ANR Clim’air, focusing on the economic and health assessment of climate change adaptation scenarios), and KnowHow4°C (PEPR TRACCS), offers an exciting opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of climate adaptation, urban planning, and environmental economics. 

Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will:

  • Conduct a literature review on the links between residential location, pollution, and climate, and on causal inference methods.
  • Apply econometric methods to study the effects of climate change on residential mobility, considering other influencing factors like teleworking or housing preferences.
  • Develop future scenarios for residential migration, considering projected climate changes and urban planning trends.

Training and skills

PhD

Required Qualifications and Skills

  • PhD in Economics
  • Expertise in modeling and/or econometrics, with a strong interest in data processing
  • Proficiency in statistical tools (at least one of the following software/languages: Stata, R, Python)
  • An interest in understanding climatic and physical processes

Working Conditions

The postdoctoral researcher will have the option to work remotely up to 2 days per week. 
Recruitment Process

Candidates must send a CV, Master’s transcripts, and one or two representative documents (published article or working paper) demonstrating their qualifications and experience, as well as the contact details of two referees to: marie.breuille@inrae.fr and helene.bouscasse@inrae.fr
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. 

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: trainingcareer 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

I send my CV and my motivation letter

All persons employed by or hosted at INRAE, a public research establishment, are subject to the Civil Service Code, 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.  > Find out more: fonction publique.gouv.fr website (in French)

Offer reference

  • Contract: Postdoctoral position
  • Duration: Poste postdoctoral en économie (urbaine) pour 4 mois Adaptation au changement climatique et mobilité résidentielle
  • Beginning: 01/07/2026
  • Remuneration: 3136€ selon expérience
  • Reference: OT-29143
  • Deadline: 21/06/2026

Contact

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