Position Summary:

The successful applicant will contribute to the project Marine Systems Approaches for Biodiversity Resilience and Ecosystem Sustainability (Marine SABRES) and Sources to Seas – Zero Pollution 2030 (SOS-ZEROPOL2030) working closely with the Project Lead Ben Boteler under the guidance of Ocean Governance Research Group Lead Sebastian Unger and Scientific Director Prof. Dr. Mark Lawrence. Both
projects are funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe program (planned for 01.09.2022 to 31.08.2026).

Marine SABRES aims to conserve and protect marine biodiversity through co-designing, co-producing, co-delivering, and implementing an agile Simple Social-Ecological System (Simple SES) to accelerate uptake of Ecosystem Based Management (EBM). This Simple SES will be used to implement policy interventions in the project study areas and then be upscaled for practical application across Europe and internationally to more complex situations. The Simple SES will support managers to take informed decision on sustainability and setting European management on a course to reverse biodiversity decline.

The project is coordinated by the University College Cork (UCC) with 21 partners across Europe, including the IASS. The IASS plays an active role within the project including: supporting the creation of participatory stakeholder groups to underpin the co-design of project outputs including the Simple SES; testing and validating project results with stakeholder groups; identifying pathways and options to apply governance solutions; and identifying opportunities for upscaling the Simple SES beyond the project’s study areas. Building on this, the IASS will lead an assessment to develop recommendations for governance approaches to achieve sustainability and resilience within the project study areas and beyond.

SOS-ZEROPOL2030 aims to develop a holistic zero pollution framework that will guide the EU towards achieving zero pollution in European seas by 2030. The project will characterise existing barriers to successful pollution reduction policies and identify best practices for effective measures, engage with key stakeholders to co-identify policy opportunities, as well as co-develop a practical roadmap to guide transition to clean European seas. The project is coordinated by the University College Cork (UCC) with nine partners across Europe, including the IASS. The IASS plays an active role within the project including: evaluating pollution governance in the EU; identifying the constraints and best practices of current governance efforts at EU level to achieve zero pollution; and contributing to regional ‘Living Lab’ sessions co-identify with stakeholders dominant barriers and desired opportunities for regional policy implementation. The IASS will also lead the development of a Strategic Zero Pollution Framework to outline a governance process to prevent and reduce pollution of seas and achieve a Zero Pollution
ambition.

Tasks:

  • Contribute to and coordinate the effective, efficient, and timely delivery of the work plan and activities of the two projects Marine SABRES and SOS-ZEROPOL2030, including milestones, deliverables, and outputs as defined in the project work program, including scientific contributions to specific project tasks (described above).
  • Regularly engage with the Project Lead and consortium partners of both projects to coordinate research and activities within the project’s work programme such as through monthly management meetings (online and face-to-face).
  • Establish and maintain effective cooperation and communication with the partners as well as stakeholders within the project study areas to implement the project work program.
  • Contribute to and facilitate the design and implementation of events such as workshops as a method for co-design and co-development of research results.
  • Report and present research findings at conferences and other events.
  • Contribute to and lead scientific publications arising from the project, including publications in peer-reviewed academic journals and policy briefs.
  • Exchange with other research projects of the Ocean Governance Research Group and in particular close cooperation with related Horizon Europe projects of the Research Group.

Qualifications:

  • Relevant university degree at Masters / PhD level in Resource Management, Sustainability Science, Marine Science, Environmental Science, Political Science, International/EU Studies, International/EU Environmental Law, or a related relevant field.
  • Strong interest in and knowledge of ocean governance, marine pollution governance, and sustainable development relating to ongoing EU (e.g., Marine Strategy Framework Directive, European Green Deal) and global policy processes (e.g., Global Plastic Pollution Agreement, Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement), including key principles such as Ecosystem Based Management, and management options such as Area Based Management Tools.
  • Experience with transdisciplinary and co-creative research methods and participatory approaches for stakeholder engagement.
  • Experience in implementing research projects and contributing to their management and coordination, including working with diverse individuals with different cultural backgrounds.
  • Experience in contributing and leading peer-reviewed research articles, scientific publications, and policy briefs.
  • Outstanding oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of German or other EU languages is an asset.
  • Experience in visual forms of communication (e.g., graphical communication) is an advantage.
  • Competency in MS Office.

What we offer:

  • The opportunity to work in a dynamic, multicultural, inter- and transdisciplinary research environment in the field of sustainability science at the IASS, and a vibrant research group in ocean governance in particular.
  • The opportunity to engage in and collaborate with a cohort of Horizon Europe Projects working on ocean governance at IASS.
  • Excellent networks with a range of national, European, and international organizations, research institutes, and think tanks in the field of marine sciences and ocean governance.

This is a full time (100%) appointment contributing to both Marine SABRES (50%) and SOSZEROPOL2030 (50%). The IASS supports efforts to achieve an equitable work-life balance by offering a variety of flexible work arrangements. A part-time role is possible in principle, depending on the specific requirements of the position. The position will be remunerated in accordance with the TVöD Bund salary scale (E13). This position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an expected start date of 1 November 2022 (or 1 December 2022) with a fixed-term contract until the end of the projects’ duration on 31.08.2026. The place of work is Potsdam.

The IASS seeks to promote gender equality and diversity. We therefore encourage applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and genders. Applications submitted by severely disabled persons with equal qualification and aptitude will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the German Social Code (IX).

If you are interested in this position, we look forward to receiving your application, including a letter of motivation (one page only, please), a CV, together with two samples of your work and two professional references. Ensuring equal opportunities is integral to the Institute’s recruitment processes. We expressly welcome applications submitted without a photograph or other references to your nationality, ethnicity, or marital status. Please submit your complete application, combined in a single PDF file no larger than 5 MB, no later than 29 August 2022 to Ivonne Triebel (ivonne.triebel@iass-potsdam.de) using the Ref. No. given above. Please specify in your application how you became aware of this vacancy.

For further information and details on this position please contact Ben Boteler (E-Mail: ben.boteler@iasspotsdam.de). By submitting your application, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of the application process. Your data will be deleted after a max. of six months. If we are interested in storing your application data beyond this based on your application profile, we will inform you about this and obtain your consent. For more information, see this link.

Travel costs cannot be reimbursed. Given the current pandemic situation, virtual interviews are envisaged.

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