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13 / 01 / 2025

Position available: Doctoral or Postdoctoral researcher in urban nature-based solution governance

Author: BSC

Position type: Full-time, 3-year fixed-term (with potential for renewal) 
Position starts: April 1, 2025 
Number of positions available: 1

Project overview:

Baltic Studies Centre (BSC) invites applications for a Doctoral or Postdoctoral researcher (or equivalent) position in NatureScape, a new international research project that aims to integrate urban nature-based solutions (NBS), such as rain gardens, green roofs and living walls, and community gardens, in seven European cities – Riga, Oslo, Lisbon, St.Gallen, Lublin, Milan and Dublin. 

The NatureScape project addresses critical post-implementation challenges of NBS, focusing on stewardship, governance, and community engagement to enhance urban resilience, biodiversity, and well-being. 

Role description:

The successful candidate will work closely with BSC’s interdisciplinary research team and international partners to develop frameworks, indicators, strategies and tools for sustainable NBS management and governance in cities. They will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to co-develop NBS transformation labs tailored to community needs. They will contribute to the development of a novel toolkit for integrating post-implementation NBS stewardship into urban planning, focusing on environmental quality, biodiversity and social well-being. 

Key responsibilities:

  • Creating a knowledge base on stewardship techniques for post-implementation NBS. 

  • Contributing to selection of core indicators and baseline analysis to evaluate NBS impacts across cultural and governance contexts. 
  • Participating in collection of NBS post-implementation data across seven European cities. 
  • Implementing citizen science initiatives and coordinating public engagement to enhance awareness and involvement in urban NBS projects.

  • Analysing dynamic interactions, synergies, and trade-offs in NBS post-implementation.

  • Facilitating multi-criteria assessments to identify sustainable stewardship and governance strategies.

  • Contributing to a comprehensive toolkit for NBS stewardship and integration into urban planning.

  • Preparing reports and contributing to academic articles.


Requirements:

  • Doctoral studies or a PhD in social sciences, environmental sciences, urban planning or a related field with a focus on NBS, environmental governance, or socio-ecological systems. 
  • Motivation to participate in an international and interdisciplinary project, willingness to learn and advance your research career. 
  • Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods for socio-ecological systems 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 (Latvian language skills are an asset).


Preferred qualifications: 

  • Experience in stakeholder engagement and co-creation processes. 
  • Knowledge of EU environmental and nature governance policies. 
  • Experience working on Horizon Europe or similar international research projects. 
  • Familiarity with development of stewardship and governance strategies and assessment tools. 

  • 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 10.02.2025. to info@bscresearch.lv.  

BSC will respond to all applicants by 20.02.2025. 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.