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CZECHGLOBE
Global Change Research Institute, CAS
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Research Assistant (with or without PhD) in the area of Environmental Social Sciences and Humanities

The Institute of Global Change Research of the Czech Academy of Science (CzechGlobe) is seeking a Researcher to join the Department of Human Dimensions of Global Change. The position is a fixed term contract and will mainly contribute to the SSH Centre project funded under the Horizon Europe research programme.

About the employer

Global Change Research Institute CAS (CzechGlobe) is one of the institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences. CzechGlobe conducts comprehensive scientific research on issues of the global climate change and its impacts on the atmosphere, terrestrial ecosystems and human society.

The Department of Human Dimensions of Global Change is focussed on research that explores the relationships between human society, natural systems and global change. The work is inter- and trans-disciplinary, with an emphasis on the policy and practical use of research results. Researchers in the department are skilled at bringing together scientists and knowledge from a range of disciplines, alongside practitioners and civil society to identify pertinent research gaps, and co-create relevant knowledge and solutions to environmental problems.

To learn more about CzechGlobe, see: https://www.czechglobe.cz/en/

To read the blog of the Department of Human Dimensions, see: https://sustainablecz.org/

About the project

This position sits in the ongoing SSH Centre Horizon Europe research project (started in September 2022, ends in February 2026). The main aim of this project is to increase the visibility of social science and humanities research in climate, energy and mobility research and policy in Europe. The findings will inform European funding strategies and provide practical support to SSH researchers. The project is a cooperation between 3 universities, 4 research institutes, 2 stakeholder network organisations, and 4 SMEs.

You can visit a project homepage for more information about its aims, partners, and activities.

About the role

The successful applicant will take a substantial role in the creation of a research and innovation agenda that should improve the visibility and uptake of social science and humanities research in the climate, energy and mobility research of the European Union’s Horizon programme. The role provides substantial opportunity for international collaboration for impactful research. Further, the role is embedded within the broader portfolio of projects in the department, allowing plenty of opportunity to collaborate with other team members and develop independent research ideas. Specific tasks include:

  • Analysing interview data, synthesizing project outcomes, and reviewing existing funding agendas and documents.
  • Contributing to and leading research papers.
  • Participating in conferences.
  • Coordinating international partners to secure timely inputs to the research and innovation agenda.
  • Contributing to the academic community of the department (participation in regular department meetings, blog posts, etc.)
  • Travel to international consortium meetings or to research stays with partner organisations.

You will work closely with Prof. Julia Leventon and Mgr. Tereza Prášilová.

Person specification

The position is suited to a researcher who has either a) a background in environmental social sciences and/or humanities in interdisciplinary research, or b) a background in researching the processes of interdisciplinary research (e.g. science and technology studies).

Essential

  • Excellent spoken and written English
  • A masters degree relevant to either of the options (a or b) outlined above
  • Ability to work under own initiative and identify when to seek input and guidance
  • Ability to organise and synthesise multiple forms of information.
  • A commitment to creating a thriving intellectual community in the department, embedded within the broader institute
  • A commitment to creating a real-world impact from research by communicating beyond academia to policy, practice and public forums.

Desirable

  • PhD in a discipline relevant to either of the options (a or b) outlined above
  • Experience using MaxQDA for qualitative data analysis
  • Experience with international research projects (ideally projects funded under EU schemes)
  • A track record of academic publishing (relative to opportunity).

Remuneration and benefits

  • Competitive salary to be agreed based on experience and workload.
  • Thriving academic environment (seminars, discussions, reading clubs, peer-to-peer skills training, etc.)
  • Career development opportunities offered by CzechGlobe (language classes, training workshops, CzechGlobe internal grant agency for small funding for PhD and post-doctoral researchers to develop their own research ideas)
  • Support in developing own funding proposals for future research, both as an individual and as a member of a team
  • Office in Prague, a combination both home and in-office working, flexible working hours

Contract details

  • Contract length: 1 year initially, but extensions are possible subject to funding.
  • Contract start: flexible, but no later than 1st February 2025.
  • FTE: 0,5 – 1,0 to be agreed before contract commences.

To apply

For informal enquiries, contact Mgr. Tereza Prášilová at prasilova.t@czechglobe.cz

To submit your application, send the following documents to jobs@czechglobe.cz by 15th November, 2024 Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the end of November, with interviews planned for 2nd December

  • your academic CV
  • the names and contact details of 2 referees

cover letter that addresses the person specification provided above