PRR Project

Summary

Context and rationale for the hiring need | This document serves to support the opening of an FCT-Tenure position for the scientific area of territory and environment, in particular for the adoption of new approaches in Spatial Planning, Ecosystem Services (ES) and Environmental Assessment that enhance biodiversity, justice, and well-being aspects in integrated and sustainable planning and management applying participatory action research.Fundamental macro-trends such as climate and demographic change, urbanisation, technological development, and the energy transition, as well as growing threats to public and collective health, require new ways of land use planning, rethinking water use, food production and habits and the cultural use of natural spaces. At the same time, the challenges posed by climate change and, in particular, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the current decade (2020-2030), designated by the United by the United Nations as the "Decade of Action", make clear the need and urgency of new paradigms of transformation in the planning process and governance systems. In this context, stakeholders’ decision-making processes are complex and have to deal with multiple issues. Learnings from the sustainability transitions field reveal that to face up to societal grand challenges innovative approaches are needed. However, in this field, critical knowledge gaps remain regarding how best to (i) Balance among biodiversity protection/enhancement and human well-being, (ii) equitably integrate stakeholder perspectives, (iii) bring scientific evidence of ES benefits into spatial planning and policymaking. Position importance for IST-ID CiTUA | This position both leverages experience and harnesses the new capacities offered through the EU project BioValue, BooSS, TOPIO and IN: Transitions benefiting from the overall research environment in these fields provided by CiTUA. The position will support long-term strategies and direction of projects in CiTUA to address global challenges that transcend geographical boundaries, aligned with CiTUA and IST-ID strategies and objectives. Researcher functions| The hired researcher is expected to develop work accordingly to a set of tasks, which include: i) Development of research advancement according to European and National policy priorities; ii) Explore new research opportunities associated with the development of knowledge, processes, and tools in scientific research projects through international and national competitive calls (e.g. Horizon Europe, Interreg, Erasmus+, FCT R&D Projects and other adequate calls) ii) Support researchers in CiTUA in the management of national and international projects iii) Promote relationships with national and international research centres in the field, namely promoting joint research with national and international partners (e.g. inviting foreign speakers, supporting COST-Actions). Scientific profile | The researcher for this position shall have: i) Experience in development of scientific activities in the scope of Spatial Planning, Ecosystem Services and Environmental Assessment demonstrated through the development of his own MSc and PhD theses, the participation in interdisciplinary R&D projects and publications. ii) Combine scientific expertise and managerial skills to ensure and support the successful execution CiTUA initiatives. iii) Experience in strengthening international networks both in the research and training fields. iv) Ensure compliance with policy objectives, funding programme requirements, financial rules and legal regulations within the scope of CiTUA activities. Hiring process | IST-ID will launch an international competition for hiring the most talented researcher for this position, that will be largely advertised through national and European EU platforms and web portals. Specific requirements will be established in the announcement, including (i) research recognition of the scientific community through the publication, in the last 10 (ten) years of, at least, 3 (three) or more publications for the disciplinary field of the competition; (ii) knowledge transfer; and (iii) a scientific and management project focused on the fields of Spatial planning, Ecosystem services and environmental Assessment.