PARATUS is a four-year project that will start on the 1st of October 2022. The PARATUS consortium encompasses 19 partners from 11 countries: Netherlands, Spain, France, Austria, Italy, Romania, United Kingdom, Turkey, Germany, Poland, and Thailand.

In the PARATUS project, we aim to develop an open-source platform for dynamic risk assessment that allows us to analyse and evaluate multi-hazard impact chains, risk reduction measures, and disaster response scenarios in the light of systemic vulnerabilities and uncertainties. These services will be co-created within a unique transdisciplinary consortium of research organisations, NGOs, SMEs, first and second responders, and local and regional authorities. To gain a deeper understanding of multi-hazard impact chains, PARATUS will first conduct forensic analysis on historical disaster events, augment historical disaster databases with hazard interactions and sectorial impacts, and exploit remote sensing data with artificial intelligence methods. Building on these insights, PARATUS will then develop new exposure and vulnerability analysis methods that enable systemic risk assessment across sectors (e.g. humanitarian, transportation, communication) and geographic settings (e.g. islands, mountains, megacities). These methods will be used to analyse risk changes across space and time and to develop new scenarios and risk mitigation options together with stakeholders, using innovative serious games and social simulations.

You will contribute to the co-development of a web-based simulation and information service for first and second responders and other stakeholders to evaluate the impact chains of multi-hazard events with particular emphasis on cross-border and cascading impacts. We have several sub-objectives: (i) design of multi-hazard impact chains and definition of the quantifiable components. (ii) model population with hazard, exposure and vulnerability data tailored to the specific user. (iii) co-development of future scenarios based on changes in causes (climate change, socio-economic changes), (iv) co-development of planning alternatives and selection of optimal risk reduction options.

You:

• Should have a strong interest in dynamic disaster risk assessment; development of a web-based simulation
• Have excellent programming skills and experience in GIS and remote sensing, preferably open software applications.
• Have obtained an MSc degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, Earth Science, Geography, and Urban Planning by September 2022.
• Have a proven interest in / affinity with inter-and transdisciplinary work.
• Have experience with quantitative research methods (statistics, statistical modelling)
• Have experience with qualitative research methods such as surveys and interviews, involving stakeholders, etc.
• Have excellent oral and written English language skills.
• Have interest to work in an international environment.
• Have a willingness to travel in Europe and beyond for stakeholder meetings and field work.
• Have good communication and collaboration skills.
• Have experience or interest in project support activities.

We offer you an inspiring multidisciplinary and challenging international and academic environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalisation is an important part of the strategic agenda. You will be employed on a fulltime basis for 4 years, with a qualifier in the first year. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement (CAO-NU) of the Dutch Universities.

• A starting salary of € 2,541.- in the first year and a salary of € 3,247.- in the fourth year gross per month;
• Tailor-made educational/development programme of at least 6 months (30EC), including visits to conferences;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme;
• A total of 41 holiday days in case of full-time employment;
• Professional and personal development programmes;
• Costs for moving to Enschede may be reimbursed.