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PhD position Economic Freshwater Resource Modeling f/m
Posted by: VU University Amsterdam
Posted date: 21-May-2010
Location: Amsterdam
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The applicant will be based in the Department of Environmental Economics at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM). This department hosts an international research group of about 25 researchers, faculty members and PhD students. The department has a leading role in the economic assessment of environmental change, in particular economic resource modeling, economic valuation of ecosystem services and market based instruments.The group works on a variety of research topics, including adaptation to climate change, renewable energy, behavioral choice experiments, biodiversity conservation, risk and uncertainty, water pricing, mapping and modeling of ecosystem services, environmental management and poverty alleviation. The group aims at publishing high-quality interdisciplinary research in peer-reviewed journals and works together with the other departments in IVM on ecology and governance.
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Tasks
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Climate change has important implications for the stock and flows of freshwater resources. A significant share of the Dutch economy depends on the availability of these freshwater resources. Besides the direct economic interests in the availability of freshwater resources, also less tangible public goods can be identified that depend on these freshwater resources. The main objective of the PhD study is to develop an integrated economic model to support policy and decision-making towards economically efficient water allocation across different water users and river basins. This model should include sufficient economic rigor and regional detail to assess the wider direct and indirect economic impacts of implementation of national water policy and institutionalized water allocation decision rules. By accounting for the shadow prices of scarce freshwater resources, the model provides the basis for the design of possible future water markets.Central research questions of the PhD study are:
· How efficient are current freshwater resources allocation decision rules across sectors and regions in the Netherlands from an economic point of view?
· What are the economic implications of future climate change scenarios on the freshwater resources allocation across sectors and regions in the Netherlands?
· How can economic efficiency of freshwater resources allocation be improved across sectors and regions in the Netherlands given future climate change through cost-effective adaptation strategies?
· What role is there for economic markets to improve freshwater resource allocation efficiency across sectors and regions in the Netherlands given future climate change?
· How to design efficient economic markets to improve freshwater resource allocation efficiency across sectors and regions in the Netherlands given future climate change?
The PhD work is highly interdisciplinary. The modeling of the economic impacts of climate change adaptation strategies on freshwater resources is directly linked to existing water distribution models. Climate change scenarios will be translated in terms of their impacts on water distribution patterns, which are linked to water dependent socio-economic activities. The economics of water use conflicts and cost-efficient solutions, including water markets, is driven by behavioral economic principles. Micro-economic principles are incorporated into macro-economic models of the Dutch water economy, while the assessment of the potential role of water markets is assessed based on institutional economics.
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Requirements
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The candidate should have:
· a MSc degree in (environmental) economics or econometrics
· experience with data work and modelling
· good mathematical and programming skills and be familiar with statistical and modelling software
· good communication skills and be able to operate independently and resourcefully
· good (English) writing and presentation skills.
Previous experience with economic modelling and/or water related issues is an advantage.
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Further particulars
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The PhD candidate will be employed in the Department of Environmental Economics, Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam and supervised by Prof. dr. Roy Brouwer. The project is a collaboration between the Department of Environmental Economics and Deltares, the Dutch water research institute.
The initial appointment will be for a period of 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl
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Salary
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The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and range from € 2.042,- gross per month in the first year up to € 2.612,- gross per month in the fourth year, based on a fulltime employment.
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Information
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For additional information please contact: prof. dr. ir. R. Brouwer
Phone number + 31 20 59 85608
E-mail: roy.brouwer ivm.vu.nl
More information about the department can be found at: www.ivm.vu.nl.
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Application
Applicants are requested to write a letter in which they describe their abilities and motivation, accompanied by a curriculum vitae and one or two references. Written applications should be sent before June 15 2010 to: the VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, attn. Dr. J.M.R.M. Neutelings, managing director, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam,The Netherlands. It is also possible to apply by e-mail to: falw-vacaturesfalw.vu.nl.
Please mention the vacancy number in the e-mail header or at the top of your letter and on the envelope.
Vacancy number: 1.2010.00142
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Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with.
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