Position type: Full-time, 3-year fixed-term (with potential for renewal)
Position starts: February 14, 2025
Number of positions available: 1
Project overview:
Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral researcher (or equivalent) position in ENGAGE, a new international research project aimed at enhancing nutrient governance and management across river basins in Europe.
The project focuses on improving freshwater quality and increasing resilience to climate change impacts through the development of scalable nutrient reduction strategies and decision support tools (DST).
This multidisciplinary project encompasses biophysical, socio-economic, and governance dimensions, applying innovative methods for co-design and systems integration to address nutrient pollution in transboundary river basins.
Role description:
The successful candidate will work closely with BSC’s interdisciplinary research team and international partners to identify and validate the socio-economic and societal change aspects of nutrient management in river basins ensuring that these aspects are effectively integrated into the DST.
They will engage with regional stakeholders to co-develop nutrient reduction strategies that are tailored to the realities of local socio-economic, governance, and environmental contexts.
Key responsibilities:
• Conducting a comprehensive review of socio-economic indicators and societal change factors impacting nutrient pollution.
• Engaging with stakeholders across Gauja-Koiva river basin (Latvia and Estonia) and the broader stakeholder network to gather insights on socio-economic dynamics and nutrient governance.
• Collaborating on socio-economic data collection, mapping, analysis, integration with biophysical and governance models, and development of modelling scenarios.
• Organizing and facilitating workshops and focus groups with stakeholders to co-design nutrient management strategies.
• Contributing to policy analysis and the development of governance and policy recommendations based on project findings.
• Preparing reports, policy briefs, and contributing to academic articles.
Requirements:
• PhD (or Master’s degree with relevant research experience) in social sciences, natural sciences, environmental sciences, or a related field, with a focus on environmental governance, socio-economic modelling, or nutrient management.
• Motivation to participate in an international and interdisciplinary project, willingness to learn and advance your research career.
• Experience in socio-economic research, stakeholder engagement, and co-creation processes.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods for socio-economic analysis, including stakeholder mapping, systems thinking, or decision support systems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to work in interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams.
• Fluency in English and Latvian (Estonian language skills are an asset).
Preferred qualifications:
• Knowledge of EU environmental and water governance policies.
• Experience working on Horizon Europe or similar international research projects.
• Familiarity with DST development and systems integration.
• Track record of authorship of scientific publications.
What we offer:
• The opportunity to work on a high-impact, multi-disciplinary research project in collaboration with leading European research institutions.
• A collaborative, professional and supportive work environment, and a dynamic team.
• Opportunities for professional development and contribution to policy-relevant research.
• Access to the knowledge pool of BSC’s national and international projects and support to become integrated into BSC’s international networks.
• Gross salary of EUR 2850 per month.
Application process:
Please submit your CV, letter of motivation, and contact information for one professional reference (all documents in English) by 31.12.2024. to info@bscresearch.lv.
BSC will respond to all applicants by 10.01.2025. and treat all information and personal data confidentially and in compliance with the requirements of GDPR.
BSC is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from all qualified individuals.
BSC is one of the leading social science institutes in the Baltic region and offers considerable expertise, research experience, a vibrant international research environment and career development opportunities.