PhD Position

Reference Number: 260475

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

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:

• Contribute to the design and implementation of a case study on education, human capital, and demographic change in Rwanda.
• Analyze and harmonize demographic, educational, and socioeconomic data.
• Apply appropriate statistical and quantitative methods to investigate educational and human capital outcomes.
• Contribute to multidimensional demographic analyses and projections.
• Interpret findings in the context of sustainable development and policy priorities.
• Contribute to scientific publications, reports, presentations, and other project outputs.
• Engage with researchers and project partners at IIASA, SALDRU/UCT, and other collaborating institutions.
• Participate in research meetings, workshops, and other project activities as appropriate.

Skills, qualifications, and experience

Education background:

• PhD in the final stage of completion or a completed PhD, preferably in economics, statistics, demography, population studies, development studies, or a related field.

Essential skills and competencies:

• Strong quantitative background and demonstrated experience with statistical and/or econometric methods.
• Experience working with demographic, educational, socioeconomic, or other large-scale survey or administrative datasets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary and international research team.
• Excellent written and spoken English; and proficiency in Kinyarwanda.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently.

Desirable skills:

• Experience with demographic modelling, population projections, or the analysis of education and labor-market data would be an advantage

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) and travel may be required.

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.

We Offer:

• 1-year full-time fixed-term contract (100%, 40 hrs/week), with NO possibility of extension thereafter.
• An attractive annual salary starting at EUR 42,374, exempt from income tax in Austria (social insurance deductions still apply), negotiable depending on the research level you are appointed to.
• The possibility to work in an international, interdisciplinary research environment at IIASA and to collaborate closely with researchers at SALDRU/UCT and other academic and policy partners.

The opportunity to:

• develop an in-depth research case study on education and human capital in Rwanda;
• work with advanced demographic and quantitative methods;
• interact with a vibrant research community, comprising both a close-knit core project team and a wider network of international collaborators and fellows;
• gain experience in translating rigorous quantitative research into findings relevant to policy and sustainable development; and
• participate in international research activities and, where appropriate, project-related travel.
• An international atmosphere and pleasant working environment in a historic market town surrounded by green areas.

IIASA salaries are:

• 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 who are hired from international locations.
• Assistance for newcomers to Austria with visa, work and residency permit applications.
• Support finding accommodation in Austria.

Further details here.

Where to apply

Website: https://iiasa.ac.at/employment/job-openings?jh=7d1o76cpjqwb7ocuujdaxa3vq4vm9lx

Requirements

• Research Field: Demography » Other
• Education Level: PhD or equivalent
• Languages: ENGLISH
• Level: Excellent
• Research Field: Demography » Other
• Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
• Country: Austria
• State/Province: Laxenburg
• City: Laxenburg
• Postal Code: 2361

Contact

• State/Province: Laxenburg
• City: A-2361 Laxenburg, near Vienna
• Website: http://www.iiasa.ac.at
• Street: Schlossplatz 1
• Postal Code: 2361
• E-Mail: recruitment@iiasa.ac.at