Ecological and Water Economist – School of Environment and Sustainability (SES)
Indian Institute for Human Settlements
Bangalore, Karnataka
Permanent
Full-time
15 days ago
Who are we The School of Environment and Sustainability (SES) at IIHS and its Long-term Urban Ecological Observatory (LTUEO), the first such mega-city observatory in the world, focus on the sustainable transformation of diverse human settlements and the social-ecological-technical systems they are part of in the face of global change, especially urbanisation and climate change. The SES and LTUEO work on cutting edge scholarship and knowledge, education, and practice focused on solutions to wicked and complex environment and sustainability problems within the context of a rapidly urbanising India. What are we looking for We are looking for an emerging scholar in ecological/ environmental/ water economics to build out IIHS' research on the economic dimensions of all types of water use: blue, green, grey, black and their ecological, socio-economic and sustainability linkages. Prospective applicants will work with faculty within the SES and LTUEO as well as other Schools at IIHS, building on ongoing and emerging work in water systems, ecology and ecosystem services at multiple scales of governance and management. The ideal candidate will need to showcase quantitative and analytical rigour through his/her ability to conduct cutting edge economic modelling of ecological and water systems and contribute to salient and policy relevant scientific peer-reviewed publications. The candidate will also join the IIHS Secretariat for the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW). Qualifications Applicants should hold a PhD in ecological/ environmental economics or a related field, with an emphasis on water, water systems (e.g. rivers, lakes, reservoirs, dams, managed wetlands, rural and urban water systems including surface and ground-water based irrigation) and a proven research and publication record with at least three relevant publications in noted peer-reviewed journals. Ideal candidates will also have exposure to, or some knowledge of, agriculture as well as the urban (e.g. in urban systems, urban economics, urban studies, and urban planning), and engagement with policy-facing questions. Experience with public finance, valuation and green accounting will be useful. Applicants should have a demonstrated depth and breadth of knowledge in various methodological approaches; experience in using a range of econometric tools and models (e.g. demand forecasting, time series analysis, integrated assessment modelling); exposure to modelling using ecosystem services quantification and valuation; the ability to generate insights by analysing large secondary data sets, the ability to design studies and generate novel primary and field data; and proficiency in using Python and/or R. What will you be expected to do You will be engaged in using the latest quantitative economic tools to conduct cutting edge economic analyses using primary and secondary data linked to diverse techniques on diverse water and linked ecological systems at all scales of management and governance as a basis for understanding their contribution to sustainable transformations and development. You will be expected to produce salient and policy relevant publications that will help inform management and policy. You will work with scholars and practitioners in other disciplines at SES/LTUEO to generate new interdisciplinary knowledge that informs and learns from practice and contributes to novel data generation. What do we offer Our growing body of cutting-edge research and practice offers opportunities that encompass water, ecological and infrastructural systems at local to national scale with active participation and contributions to international science-policy forums such as IPCC and IPBES apart from being an important member of the GCEW team. Our collective faculty experience and scholarship on water, ecology, sustainability science, climate science and urban sciences offers an unparalleled opportunity for professional development. You will be part of a high-performance interdisciplinary team with access to established partners and collaborators from across the world. You will have access to the first mega-city LTUEO in the world and IIHS' cutting-edge Geospatial Lab, Urban Informatics Lab, Word Lab and Media Lab. We offer a flexible, inclusive and diverse work environment across our campuses and diverse field sites and projects that provide the biophysical, social-ecological and technical basis for application of ecological/water economics at scale. We offer compensation that's commensurate with qualifications and demonstrated experience and skills, along with a range of benefits and support. What interests should you have Ideal candidates would have an interest in the creation and application of diverse knowledge and practices to address water and hydrologic systems within the larger framework of environmental and sustainability challenges in an integrated manner. Openness to interdisciplinary, collegial and collaborative teamworking, along with excellent interpersonal and communications skills, are essential. The ability and interest to communicate in peer-reviewed journals and in mainstream and social media is desirable. Where will you be based You will be based in Bengaluru but may be required to travel to other campuses and field sites and projects across India and abroad as needed. Anything else you should know Review and Assessment - The role and performance of this position shall be subject to normal review and assessment systems at IIHS. Diversity Policy - IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply for positions. In case of questions Please write to us at [HIDDEN TEXT] if you need any clarifications while filling the online application form.