Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) in Climate-Related Health Risk Assessment and Urban Adaptation Tools

Job Description

Missions

The post-doctoral position is part of the European project HealthRiskADAPT. Faced with escalating climate challenges such as heatwaves and air pollution, current adaptation measures are proving insufficient. Against this backdrop, the HealthRiskADAPT project will pave the way for transformative adaptation strategies across Europe. Focusing on Mediterranean, Alpine and Continental regions, the project aims to revolutionise the way we approach climate-related health risks. By integrating technical, nature-based and social solutions, the project equips local authorities to assess vulnerabilities, prioritise actions and strengthen preparedness. This holistic approach includes the development of user-friendly toolkits and stakeholder engagement to ensure effective implementation. With its ambitious goals and innovative methods, the HealthRiskADAPT project is on track to lead Europe towards a healthier, more climate-resilient future.
The post-doctoral researcher will contribute to the implementation of the HealthRiskADAPT project, focusing in particular on three complementary components:
• Assessing the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of pilot cities (WP3 – Health, risks and vulnerability): developing risk indices for outdoor activities and assessing, at different temporal and spatial scales, the vulnerability of health to the effects of climate change, in order to support the design of adaptive management measures;
• Developing user-oriented decision-support tools (WP4 – Toolkits): designing a multiple-benefits (co-benefits) analysis module for different social groups, combining benefit quantification, cost analysis and cost-benefit analysis, and contributing to its integration into the interactive user interface "Risk Map" / "Cost-Benefit Analysis";
• Contributing to demonstrations and impact assessment (WP6 – Demonstrations, impact assessment and replication): taking part in the pilot projects of Naples, Oslo, Bern and Lyon, in the assessment of the effectiveness and socio-economic value of the HealthRiskADAPT framework, and in the exploration of replication pathways in at least 5 cities.

Activity

Within this framework, the main activities will include:
1. Vulnerability and adaptive capacity analysis (WP3)
o Develop and apply an analytical framework for the adaptive capacity (capacity to prepare, respond and recover) of the 4 pilot cities, based on socio-economic factors;
o Validate the performance of the cities against the health outcomes analysed;
o Develop risk indices for outdoor activities, including indoor environments in connection with WP4.
2. Development of the multiple-benefits analysis module (WP4)
o Design and document the methodology for quantifying multiple benefits for different social groups;
o Conduct cost analyses and cost-benefit analyses of adaptation options;
o Ensure the integration of the results into the interactive user interface (risk maps with risk indices, cost-benefit module), in collaboration with the teams in charge of software development.
3. Demonstrators, impact assessment and replication (WP6)
o Support the pilot projects in the Mediterranean (Naples), Alpine (Oslo, Bern) and Continental (Lyon) regions: hazard and risk assessment, testing of adaptation solutions, verification of their effectiveness with the direct participation of users;
o Contribute to the impact assessment incorporating end-users' views on the effectiveness and socio-economic value of the framework;
o Take part in the analysis of replication pathways in at least 5 additional cities.
4. Cross-cutting activities
o Collection, processing and analysis of socio-economic and health data at different scales;
o Contribution to the production of scientific publications, progress reports and project deliverables;
o Regular interaction with local and regional authorities and consortium partners; participation in project meetings and knowledge transfer/valorisation activities.

Your Profil

Skills

Education and experience
• PhD in economics;
• Initial demonstrated experience in vulnerability assessment and/or assessment of the health impacts of climate change (thermal comfort, urban heat, pollution, etc.);
Technical skills
• Strong command of quantitative methods (statistics, modelling, data analysis) and related tools (R, Python, QGIS/ArcGIS…);
• Ability to develop and work with composite indices and indicators (risk indices) at different temporal and spatial scales;
• Fluency in scientific English (writing papers and communicating with the consortium) and good command of French.
Personal qualities and aptitudes
• Ability to work as part of a team within a multi-partner international consortium and to interact with non-scientific users (local and regional authorities);
• Aptitude for cross-cutting work across Work Packages and disciplines;
• Scientific rigour, autonomy and organisational skills (deliverable management, meeting deadlines);
• Interest in scientific valorisation (publications, conferences) and in the transfer of knowledge to public decision-making.

Your Work Environment

The successful candidate will be based in Grenoble at the GAEL laboratory (Grenoble Applied Economics Laboratory), a joint research unit of CNRS, INRAE, Université Grenoble Alpes and Grenoble INP, with a staff of about 70. GAEL's research focuses mainly on issues of innovation and sustainable consumption, particularly in the energy and agro-industrial sectors. Research is organised along three axes: Consumption, Energy/Environment, and Innovation.
The candidate will join the Energy axis. Research carried out within GAEL's Energy/Environment department aims to understand and assess the impact of policies in the fields of energy and climate. The team conducts high-level research in applied and academic economics and enjoys high visibility at national, European and international levels.
The successful candidate will work under the responsibility of Sandrine Mathy, CNRS Research Director (Directrice de Recherche) at GAEL.

Constraints and risks

The successful candidate will participate in working meetings attended by all project members. Travel for project meetings or to other project laboratories is to be expected, as is participation in conferences.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3,041 and €4,216 gross per month, depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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