Research Scientist

OVERVIEW
**Post Number**: 1ITSC PA120TP
**Grade**: P-3
**Parent Sector**: Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
**Duty Station**: Trieste
**Job Family**: Natural Sciences
**Type of contract**: Project Appointment
**Duration of contract**: 1 year
**Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time)**: 24-SEP-2025
**UNESCO Core Values**: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam and located in Trieste (Italy), the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) seeks to accomplish its mandate by providing scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills that they need to enjoy long and productive careers.
Under the supervision of the Senior Research Scientist, the incumbent will contribute to research on the impacts of climate change on human health, specifically focusing on vector-borne diseases. The incumbent will be primarily involved in the research and aiding the Senior Research Scientist, who is the principle investigator (PI) leading the project, in the management of the upcoming ACCLIMATISE project (Attribution of a Changing CLIMate in the AssessmenT of malaria Intervention Strategy Efficiency). Long Description
**In particular, he incumbent will**:

- Conduct high-quality, original research on the impacts of climate change on vector-borne diseases, including but not limited to analysing climate datasets and epidemiological data to identify climate drivers of disease transmission,
- Contribute significantly to the implementation and management of the ACCLIMATISE projects, including the development of research plans, data analysis, and the preparation of project reports and deliverables.
- Provide scientific supervision to postdoctoral research associates involved in the research area.
- Collaborate effectively with project partners and other researchers within ICTP and internationally.
- Publish research findings in leading peer-reviewed scientific journals and present at international conferences.
- Actively seek and secure further external research funding through the preparation and submission of research proposals to national and international funding agencies.
- Participate in and contribute to ICTP’s training and capacity building activities for scientists from developing countries, including the scientific supervision of students and postdoctoral fellows.
- Engage in science outreach and communication activities to disseminate research findings to broader audiences.
- Contribute to the intellectual environment of the ESP section through participation in seminars, workshops, and collaborations. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- PhD degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field such as atmospheric and climate sciences, epidemiology, environmental health, ecology, biostatistics, or a related discipline
- Work Experience
- Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience (of which preferably two (2) years acquired at international levels) in atmospheric and climate sciences, epidemiology, environmental health, ecology, biostatistics, or a related discipline
- A strong record of peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognized scientific journals.
- Demonstrated experience in research related to climate change/variability and its impacts, preferably with a focus on vector-borne diseases.
- Experience in analysing large datasets, dynamical disease modelling, and/or climate model analysis and modelling.
- Familiarity with relevant programming languages (in particular Python/R or similar for processing/analysis and FORTRAN for the dynamical disease model development).

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (both written and oral)
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team in a multicultural environment

LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge of written and oral English. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE
- Experience in working for Educational Institutions

SKILLS
- Experience in science outreach and engagement
- Experience in securing external research funding
- Experience in supervising students or postdoctoral researchers

LANGUAGES
- Proficiency in French BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 92 469 US $.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
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