Senior post-doc position on water and energy systems analysis @TCT-EIEE-CMCC

[Andrea Francesco Castelletti]

Dear All, 

I hope you are enjoying AGU24. 

We have an open position at the newly founded division on Technologies for Climate Transitions at the Euro Mediterranean Center for Climate Change (CMCC) in Milan.

I would appreciate it you could share this with your network. I am happy to meet with any interested candidates here in Washington. 

Best Regards

Andrea

------

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team in the field of water and energy systems analysis, with a strong emphasis on mathematical modeling, optimization, and decision-making under uncertainty. The successful candidate will focus on developing and applying advanced multi-scale water and energy system models to explore the implications of global climate policies on infrastructure development in the Global South. In addition, the role will emphasize robust decision-making techniques to address uncertainty in future scenarios. The candidate will analyze the impact of uncertain variables, such as climate variability, policy shifts, and socio-economic and technological changes, on water and energy infrastructure planning. By integrating uncertainty analysis into optimization frameworks, the researcher will develop strategies that ensure resilient and adaptive system designs capable of withstanding a range of future challenges.

The ideal candidate will bring expertise in addressing challenges at the intersection of global climate policies, resource management, and socio-economic dynamics, demonstrating an ability to deliver impactful research that informs policy and engineering decisions.

This research aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers, guiding sustainable infrastructure development in dynamic and uncertain environments.

ROLE

The Senior Postdoctoral Researcher reports to the TCT Division Director and is responsible for leading advanced research and analysis in water and energy systems, with a focus on multi-scale modeling, optimization, and decision-making under uncertainty. The role includes designing and implementing robust models that integrate water, energy, and climate systems to assess the implications of global climate policies on infrastructure development, particularly in the Global South. This position is a key contributor to advancing the division’s mission to support evidence-based, sustainable solutions for water and energy challenges worldwide. TCT is the third, new division of the CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment (EIEE). The candidate will support the development of the division within the overall strategy of the institute, leveraging the relation with existing research at EIEE.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Postdoctoral Researcher will support the TCT Division Director, with:

• Conduct cutting-edge research in water and energy systems analysis, integrating robust decision-making techniques and uncertainty analysis to develop resilient and adaptive strategies.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to produce actionable insights and recommendations for sustainable infrastructure development.
• Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.
• Engage with stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and development organizations, to translate research into practical solutions.
• Actively participate in fundraising efforts, including developing research proposals, identifying funding opportunities, and maintaining relationships with funders to secure grants and contracts that support the division’s strategic objectives.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to capacity building within the TCT Division.
• Contribute to the objectives of the EIEE institute and to its methodological suite.

REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in Energy or Environmental or Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or equivalent subjects.
• Very good knowledge of the English language.
• Accuracy and excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent programming skill in c++ and/or python
• Experience with state-of-the-art energy systems modelling.

DURATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

• The contract is initially for two years 
• Contract and gross annual salary will be based on qualifications and working experience
• Welfare package, for minimum 12 months contract.
• Flexible working time as per internal policies.
• Support during the immigration process, if needed.
• The Italian law recognises significant fiscal benefits for repatriated or foreign workers

INFORMATION

Applications can be submitted here 

Deadline: 15 January 2025

Headquarter: MIlan, Italy 

Contact andrea.ca...@cmcc.it

--
Andrea Castelletti, PhD, PE
Professor

Chair, PhD Programme in Science, Technology, and Policy for Sustainable Change
Environmental Intelligence Lab
Dept. of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering
Politecnico di Milano
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32
I-20133 Milano, Italy
http://www.ei.deib.polimi.it/

Director, EIEE-TCT Technologies for Climate Transition
Euro Mediterranean Center for Climate Change (CMCC) 
Via A. Bergognone, 34
I-20144 Milano, Italy