UNU PostDoctoral or PhD Fellow IN Japan 2013

POSITION:

Personnel Service Agreement

REFERENCE NO.:

2012/UNU/IAS/PSA/PPHDF/43

LOCATION:

Yokohama, Japan

CLOSING DATE:

2013•01•11

Organizational Unit: UNU Institute of Advances Studies

United Nations University objectives

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in research, postgraduate training and dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, its member states and peoples. It serves as an academic arm for the United Nations System, contributes to capacity building particularly in developing countries, and serves as a platform for new and creative ideas and dialogue. In addition to the UN University Centre (Headquarters) located in Tokyo, UN University has already established fifteen Research and Training Institutes and Programmes worldwide.

United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)

UNU-IAS was inaugurated in April 1996. It conducts research, postgraduate education and capacity development, both in-house and in co-operation with an interactive network of academic institutions and international organizations. The thematic direction of UNU-IAS concerns the interactions of social and natural systems. The current research agenda focuses on strategic paths to sustainable development and under this broad theme projects focus on biodiversity, sustainable development governance, urban ecosystems, science and technology policy options for developing and least developed countries, and sustainable development education. More information on UNU-IAS, its programme of activities and academic community is available at www.ias.unu.edu.

Responsibilities

UNU-IAS is recruiting a Postdoctoral or PhD Fellow for its Sustainable Urban Futures Programme, which focuses on understanding how global environmental concerns are translated into local policies, and vice-versa (how local concerns are incorporated into international environmental policies). The programme conducts research seeking solutions to global environmental problems at the local level and analyses how cities in developing countries create the institutional capacity to implement effective environmental policies with social inclusion. In this context, local authorities and organizations have played important roles in policy implementation to tackle issues related to climate change and biodiversity, even though the media and much of the literature focuses on debates at the global or country level.

The Fellow is expected to research patterns of environmental governance and policy implementation designed to tackle global environmental problems in the case of one or more cities in developing countries. He/she is expected to understand the role that governmental and non-governmental organizations play in climate change-related policies and how those policies are linked to environmental and development policies at the local and national levels. The Fellow is expected to contribute to the development of a tool to analyse urban climate co-benefits. This position requires skills in quantitative analysis and modeling.

Required qualifications and experience

• Postdoctoral Fellow: A PhD degree (no ABD), preferably in a field related to applied Social or Environmental Sciences, including Urban Planning, Engineering, Development Studies, Public Policy, Management and Economics; or
• PhD Fellow: A PhD candidate (must be in research stage with no class requirements left) preferably in a field related to applied Social or Environmental Sciences, including Urban Planning, Engineering, Development Studies, Public Policy, Management and Economics;
• Demonstrated research skills in similar areas;
• Ability to design and implement research;
• Fluency in both oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages would be an asset;
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration

The monthly remuneration can range from JPY 260,000 to 330,000, depending on the candidate’s academic qualifications and years of work experience. 

Duration of contract

This is a full-time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU-IAS, with the possibility of renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance.

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates and those from developing countries are particularly encouraged. 

Starting date

It is expected that the appointee will take up the position as soon as possible, but no later than 1 February 2013.

Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail (to recruitment@ias.unu.edu), and must include the following:

• a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;
• full contact information of three (3) referees (UNU-IAS will directly contact the referees in the event that the candidate is shortlisted);
• an indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2012/UNU/IAS/PSA/PPHDF/43).