Research Scholar - Spatial Planning and Ecological Modelling (2 positions) The Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation (BEC) Research Group, part of the IIASA Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR) Program, is looking for two highly motivated researchers to join Horizon Europe projects focused on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of European ecosystems. One position focuses on spatial prioritisation for integrated land‑use planning; the other on statistical and process‑based ecological modelling of species and population responses to land management and environmental change.
Background The BEC Research Group develops and applies state‑of‑the‑art ecological knowledge, methods, and tools to understand ecosystem functioning, ecological responses, and feedback within coupled social‑economic‑ecological systems. The Group applies this knowledge to investigate management options that support sustainability goals with ecological implications.
The BEC Group leads research supporting EU Member States and other countries worldwide in identifying priority areas for habitat conservation, restoration, and sustainable use in order to achieve national and international area‑based conservation targets.
These positions are linked to two Horizon Europe projects: SafeNet and NatureRestoreR.
Positions The selected candidates will work in close collaboration with Dr. Martin Jung, Dr. Lauren Talluto, and Dr. Piero Visconti.
Position 1 – Spatial Prioritisation for Land‑Use Planning This researcher will apply spatial prioritisation methods for integrated land‑use planning at national and continental scale. Candidates with strong literacy in spatial multi‑criteria optimisation methods, reinforcement learning, or other state‑of‑the‑art spatial planning approaches are of particular interest.
Position 2 – Ecological Modelling of Population Dynamics This researcher will develop statistical and process‑based ecological models simulating spatially dynamic, time‑dependent population responses to colonisation and population dynamics as a function of land management (including restoration and conservation actions), species interactions, and other abiotic effects such as climate.
While both researchers will contribute primarily to existing projects and outputs, candidates are encouraged to develop their own research profile within applied ecological and conservation research, in alignment with BEC's research objectives.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Develop workflows for integrated conservation planning using optimisation frameworks (Position 1).
Prepare large spatial datasets for spatial planning and assess protected area effectiveness (Position 1).
Apply and develop ecological modelling approaches to estimate the impact of land‑use, climate, restoration, and conservation actions (Position 2).
Lead the dissemination of project results via high‑quality journal publications and conference presentations (both positions).
Contribute to the organisation of project‑related workshops and/or webinars (both positions).
Support project partners and other group members in drafting reports and grant proposals (both positions).
Develop other scientific outputs as needed (both positions).
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
PhD or equivalent experience and qualification in advanced spatial prioritisation and/or ecological modelling, with an interest in developing a career in science.
Strong expertise in at least one scientific coding language (R, Python, Julia), preferably including scientific software development.
Knowledge of ecological statistics (frequentist and/or Bayesian), particularly spatial statistics and non‑linear models.
Experience handling large, multi‑temporal, and multi‑resolution spatial datasets, including data harmonisation, quality control, and addressing data gaps and uncertainty.
Excellent organisational skills; proactive and results‑oriented, with the capacity to deliver on allocated tasks and respond to deadlines in a timely manner.
Experience working in interdisciplinary teams involving ecologists, remote‑sensing scientists, land‑system scientists, and environmental decision‑makers.
Ability to work independently and as part of an international team distributed across institutions and time zones.
A track record of publishing high‑quality scientific research.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Advantageous
Experience documenting reproducible analytical workflows and managing code and data using version‑control and collaborative development tools.
Experience integrating Earth observation‑derived variables (satellite imagery, aerial imagery, land‑cover products) with ecological observations, species‑distribution data, ecosystem‑condition data, field measurements or other environmental datasets, using statistical, machine‑learning, process‑based, or hybrid modelling approaches to analyse ecological patterns and processes.
Knowledge of cloud computing (Google Earth Engine) and high‑performance computing.
Experience developing modelling workflows across more than one scale, from local case studies to continental or global assessments.
Appointment Terms The successful candidate should be available to take up the position as of 1st October 2026. The place of work is IIASA in Laxenburg, near Vienna, Austria (home office options available).
Initial fixed‑term two‑year full‑time (40 hours per week) employment contract, with the possibility of extension thereafter.
An attractive annual salary, exempt from income tax in Austria (subject to deductions for health insurance and/or social security), of at least EUR 55,215.00 negotiable based on qualifications and experience.
An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas.
The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global well‑being.
Not directly comparable with other employers in Austria, due to the unique legal status and privileges granted to IIASA.
Subject to the principle of income aggregation (Progressionsvorbehalt in German).
Additional Benefits
Educational subsidies for children of school age enrolled in private schools in Austria.
A generous annual leave entitlement.
Relocation allowances and paid home leave for employees in scientific and professional categories who are hired from international locations.
Assistance for newcomers to Austria with visa, work and residency permit applications.
Support finding accommodation in Austria.
Equal Opportunity IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce. This is reflected in our core values. We encourage qualified candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply. In the case that candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to applicants from countries where IIASA has a Member Organization.
Further Information For further information about this opportunity please contact Piero Visconti, Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar (BEC).
Application Process To apply you must provide the following documents in English:
A cover letter outlining your motivation for and fit to the position.
A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
Recent example of your research work.
The names, addresses (including e‑mail), and telephone numbers of two reference givers.
Deadline for receipt of applications: 6 August 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Background The BEC Research Group develops and applies state‑of‑the‑art ecological knowledge, methods, and tools to understand ecosystem functioning, ecological responses, and feedback within coupled social‑economic‑ecological systems. The Group applies this knowledge to investigate management options that support sustainability goals with ecological implications.
The BEC Group leads research supporting EU Member States and other countries worldwide in identifying priority areas for habitat conservation, restoration, and sustainable use in order to achieve national and international area‑based conservation targets.
These positions are linked to two Horizon Europe projects: SafeNet and NatureRestoreR.
Positions The selected candidates will work in close collaboration with Dr. Martin Jung, Dr. Lauren Talluto, and Dr. Piero Visconti.
Position 1 – Spatial Prioritisation for Land‑Use Planning This researcher will apply spatial prioritisation methods for integrated land‑use planning at national and continental scale. Candidates with strong literacy in spatial multi‑criteria optimisation methods, reinforcement learning, or other state‑of‑the‑art spatial planning approaches are of particular interest.
Position 2 – Ecological Modelling of Population Dynamics This researcher will develop statistical and process‑based ecological models simulating spatially dynamic, time‑dependent population responses to colonisation and population dynamics as a function of land management (including restoration and conservation actions), species interactions, and other abiotic effects such as climate.
While both researchers will contribute primarily to existing projects and outputs, candidates are encouraged to develop their own research profile within applied ecological and conservation research, in alignment with BEC's research objectives.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Develop workflows for integrated conservation planning using optimisation frameworks (Position 1).
Prepare large spatial datasets for spatial planning and assess protected area effectiveness (Position 1).
Apply and develop ecological modelling approaches to estimate the impact of land‑use, climate, restoration, and conservation actions (Position 2).
Lead the dissemination of project results via high‑quality journal publications and conference presentations (both positions).
Contribute to the organisation of project‑related workshops and/or webinars (both positions).
Support project partners and other group members in drafting reports and grant proposals (both positions).
Develop other scientific outputs as needed (both positions).
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
PhD or equivalent experience and qualification in advanced spatial prioritisation and/or ecological modelling, with an interest in developing a career in science.
Strong expertise in at least one scientific coding language (R, Python, Julia), preferably including scientific software development.
Knowledge of ecological statistics (frequentist and/or Bayesian), particularly spatial statistics and non‑linear models.
Experience handling large, multi‑temporal, and multi‑resolution spatial datasets, including data harmonisation, quality control, and addressing data gaps and uncertainty.
Excellent organisational skills; proactive and results‑oriented, with the capacity to deliver on allocated tasks and respond to deadlines in a timely manner.
Experience working in interdisciplinary teams involving ecologists, remote‑sensing scientists, land‑system scientists, and environmental decision‑makers.
Ability to work independently and as part of an international team distributed across institutions and time zones.
A track record of publishing high‑quality scientific research.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Advantageous
Experience documenting reproducible analytical workflows and managing code and data using version‑control and collaborative development tools.
Experience integrating Earth observation‑derived variables (satellite imagery, aerial imagery, land‑cover products) with ecological observations, species‑distribution data, ecosystem‑condition data, field measurements or other environmental datasets, using statistical, machine‑learning, process‑based, or hybrid modelling approaches to analyse ecological patterns and processes.
Knowledge of cloud computing (Google Earth Engine) and high‑performance computing.
Experience developing modelling workflows across more than one scale, from local case studies to continental or global assessments.
Appointment Terms The successful candidate should be available to take up the position as of 1st October 2026. The place of work is IIASA in Laxenburg, near Vienna, Austria (home office options available).
Initial fixed‑term two‑year full‑time (40 hours per week) employment contract, with the possibility of extension thereafter.
An attractive annual salary, exempt from income tax in Austria (subject to deductions for health insurance and/or social security), of at least EUR 55,215.00 negotiable based on qualifications and experience.
An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas.
The possibility to contribute to environmental sciences for sustainability and global well‑being.
Not directly comparable with other employers in Austria, due to the unique legal status and privileges granted to IIASA.
Subject to the principle of income aggregation (Progressionsvorbehalt in German).
Additional Benefits
Educational subsidies for children of school age enrolled in private schools in Austria.
A generous annual leave entitlement.
Relocation allowances and paid home leave for employees in scientific and professional categories who are hired from international locations.
Assistance for newcomers to Austria with visa, work and residency permit applications.
Support finding accommodation in Austria.
Equal Opportunity IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce. This is reflected in our core values. We encourage qualified candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply. In the case that candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to applicants from countries where IIASA has a Member Organization.
Further Information For further information about this opportunity please contact Piero Visconti, Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scholar (BEC).
Application Process To apply you must provide the following documents in English:
A cover letter outlining your motivation for and fit to the position.
A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
Recent example of your research work.
The names, addresses (including e‑mail), and telephone numbers of two reference givers.
Deadline for receipt of applications: 6 August 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
