PhD: New Methods for Data Collection for Integrated Assessment Modelling

In this PhD position you will use your experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to work on sustainable development issues.

Your job
We are a team of researchers using integrated assessment modelling to explore global change problems. Integrated Assessment Models are used to support climate change decision making and describe the full chain of economic activities, associated energy and land use, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and their impacts to explore possible response strategies. Data plays a key role in these models, ranging from the costs of different power plants to household size in different parts of the world. At the moment, there is no single database that includes all relevant data – and as a result, data from a wide range of – sometimes unstructured – sources is used. This data is also often inconsistent, e.g. data on car use, and car efficiency is not necessarily consistent with energy consumption by cars. Novel methods of data collection, including data scrapping and the use of AI, could possibly result in a much richer set of data – but also include algorithms that enhance the consistency of the data with associated levels of uncertainty.

Your responsibility is to develop new methods of data collecting, apply these and built up a consistent data set for integrated assessment modeling. We will use the data to describe historical trends – but also make the data available for further analysis in IMAGE. In the work, we will start with specific sectors (e.g. energy use in housing) but subsequently see whether the lessons learned can be used to develop a much more comprehensive database. The database will be coupled to the IMAGE integrated assessment model, but also shared publicly.

We invite you to share your ideas and suggestions for this innovative project in your application letter.

You are interested in improving data collection, management, and analysis with the aim of improving integrated assessment models and you have excellent skills in using AI-tools in data collection from a diverse set of innovative sources. Furthermore, you have:

• strong and demonstrable skills in using AI and ML tools (shown by a relevant master on this topic);
• an interest in integrated assessment, climate change and sustainability issues;
• strong analytical skills;
• willingness to experiment with new data collection methods;
• excellent communication skills;
• fluent in the use of Python as a programming language.

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development wants to have a positive impact on the transition to a sustainable society, which includes strengthening risk regulation regimes for chemicals and pharmaceuticals and reducing the need for the use of laboratory animals. We do this by developing excellent and relevant knowledge in interdisciplinary teams and by educating the change agents of the future. The Copernicus Institute has had an excellent research evaluation in 2021 and the institute takes pride in maintaining its leading position in national and international sustainability research, and by developing new, internationally oriented teaching programmes.

For more information, please contact Professor Detlef van Vuuren at d.p.vanvuuren@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.