Research Scientist in Climate Science

Job Posting Organization:
The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) was founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam. It is located in Trieste, Italy, and has a mission to provide scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills necessary for long and productive careers. Over the past 50 years, ICTP has played a significant role in combating the scientific brain drain from developing nations and has been a driving force in advancing scientific expertise globally, particularly in the developing world. The organization is committed to fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange among scientists.

Job Overview:
The position of Research Scientist in Climate Science is primarily focused on conducting scientific research related to regional climate extremes and hazard projections. The incumbent will work within a collaborative framework involving both private and governmental agencies, as well as international consortia. The main objective is to carry out research that supports applied use cases, such as optimizing renewable energy production and assessing hazards that affect communities and assets. The role requires active participation in relevant programs at ICTP and maintaining connections with similar institutions and researchers worldwide to facilitate knowledge exchange. The incumbent will also be involved in organizing training activities, workshops, and conferences, aimed at disseminating climate information and providing technical support to stakeholders. Teaching responsibilities may also be included, particularly in the Diploma program, and mentoring of PhD and postgraduate students is expected, especially those from developing countries.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will undertake frontline research on regional climate extremes and hazard projections, focusing on tailoring analyses of multi-model ensemble data to support applied use cases. Responsibilities include organizing training activities, workshops, and conferences, which involve defining content, selecting lecturers and participants, and managing budgets. The role also includes teaching in ICTP activities and mentoring students, particularly those from developing countries. The incumbent will collaborate with associates and visitors at ICTP and provide technical consulting and user support as required. Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for delivering climate data products to project counterparts and ensuring effective communication of climate information to external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent) in climate science or a related field. A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in climate science and regional climate extremes is required, with at least 1 year of this experience ideally acquired at the international level. Strong expertise in atmospheric and climate science, projection of climate hazards, and analysis of multi-model ensemble datasets is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience in scientific research, including data analysis, modeling, and interpretation of complex climate information for applied purposes. Familiarity with programming languages such as PYTHON, NCL, NCO, and FORTRAN is also necessary. The ability to design and deliver training activities and technical presentations for diverse audiences is crucial, along with excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a PhD or equivalent, in climate science or a closely related field. This advanced degree is essential for understanding the complexities of climate science and for conducting high-level research in the field.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant professional experience in climate science, with a focus on regional climate extremes. Ideally, candidates should have at least 1 year of experience working in an international context, which may include experience within the United Nations system or similar scientific organizations.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or Italian is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a project appointment with a duration of 1 year. The position is open to both internal and external candidates. UNESCO offers a competitive salary, with the approximate annual starting salary for this post being 73,700 USD. Benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The selection process may involve pre-recorded video interviews, written assessments, and interviews with a panel, along with reference checks. Candidates are encouraged to apply online and must provide complete and accurate information by the application deadline. UNESCO is committed to diversity and encourages applications from individuals from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities.