Multidimensional Demographic Modeling (MDM) - rEsearch group
The Multidimensional Demographic Modeling (MDM) Research Group, part of the IIASA Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Program is looking to recruit a motivated early-career researcher (either in the final stage of a PhD or at postdoctoral level) for 12 months to join an international research project in collaboration with the University of Cape Town on modelling human capital formation in Africa.
BACKGROUND
The position is part of the project “Human Capital for Sustainable Development: A Focus on Africa and Coastal Regions”, under the leadership of IIASA Distinguished Emeritus Research Scholar Wolfgang Lutz. The project is supported by the 2024 Yidan Prize for Education Research, awarded to Wolfgang Lutz, and builds on IIASA’s longstanding research on population dynamics, education, and human capital. It applies multidimensional demographic modelling and detailed evidence on educational change to investigate how near-term investments in education can translate into long-term improvements in human capital, and what this means for health, gender equity, poverty reduction, and resilience to environmental change. The project seeks to improve understanding of how investments in education shape long-term development pathways and to provide rigorous evidence to support decision-making in countries facing major demographic, social, and environmental challenges.
THE ROLE
The successful candidate will contribute to the development of a country case study on education and human capital in Rwanda. The work will involve analyzing demographic, educational, and socioeconomic data and applying quantitative methods to examine educational change and its longer-term implications for human capital and population dynamics.
The position offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of demography, economics, statistics, education, and sustainable development, while contributing to research with relevance for evidence-informed policymaking in Rwanda and beyond.
The researcher will be part of a small and dynamic core research team at IIASA and will interact with a broader network of international researchers, partners, and fellows. Collaboration will include the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU), based in the School of Economics at the University of Cape Town (UCT), as well as other project partners and research collaborators.
The position is for one year. Depending on the needs of the project, the work will involve periods based at IIASA in Laxenburg, Austria, as well as travels for project-related meetings, workshops, and research activities.
The selected candidate will enjoy significant independence and full credit for their contributions, and the opportunity to build a record of peer-reviewed academic publications. Other outputs could be conference presentations and technical reports.
MAIN tASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Education and Background
IIASA offers an interdisciplinary and international workplace, and the possibility to interact with researchers of different nationalities, with strong ties to a world-wide network of research institutions engaged in environmental systems research. The successful candidate must be able to work in, and have respect for, an intercultural environment, and IIASA core values.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
The successful candidate should be available to take up the position as soon as possible - No later than February 2027.
The place of work is IIASA in Laxenburg, near Vienna, Austria (home office options available).
The successful candidate will be appointed as a researcher (R1) OR Research Scholar (R2) depending on qualifications and experience and in accordance with the IIASA profiles for research careers.
1-year full-time fixed-term contract (100%, 40 hrs/week), with NO possibility of extension thereafter.
IIASA salaries are:
Further details here.
IIASA is committed to a working environment that promotes equality, diversity, tolerance and inclusion within its workforce. This is reflected in our IIASA 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.
For further information about this opportunity please contact:
ANDRUCHOWITZ Stefanie – Project Officer
LUTZ Wolfgang – IIASA Sherpa for Asia (DG); Distinguished Emeritus Research Scholar
BATSHONE Amer - Recruitment related questions
In order to apply for this opportunity, you will need to provide the following documents in English:
The names, addresses (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of two reference givers.
In order to apply for this opportunity, you will need to provide the following documents in English:
The names, addresses (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of two reference givers.
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