PhD scholarship: Adaptation to Climate Change
PhD scholarship: Adaptation to Climate Change – Exploring the Scope for Reducing Climate Risks and Supporting Sustainable Development
The Centre on Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development, part of the CTCN Consortium partner UNEP DTU Partnership, invites applications for a PhD research project focused on technologies for climate change adaptation in the context of sustainable development.
Project aims
The PhD project should have an overall focus on how to assess and track effectiveness and impacts of technologies for climate change adaptation in developing countries. Specifically, the project should focus on the development of socio-economic approaches to standardize the evaluation of the technologies in terms of their costs, benefits and climate risk reduction potentials, and therefrom ease the way for better comparison, prioritization and implementation.
Research methodology
There is scope within the project for pursuing an interdisciplinary framework of analysis combining different theoretical perspectives as well as methodological approaches. Nevertheless, the research should include a strong element of socio-economics. Research methods should mostly be in the form of quantitative (primarily secondary) data collection and analysis, complemented with framework and methodology development. Potential approaches to this research include, but are not limited to economic assessment approaches, including cost benefit analysis, as well as a risk reduction approach.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a Master’s degree in a relevant social science discipline (for example economics, agricultural economics, development studies), with proven skills in socio-economic assessments, and ideally with a focus or component on technologies and climate change adaptation in developing countries.
Strong oral and written English communication skills are essential. Experience from working in a developing country is an asset. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently, to plan and carry out independent research, including field work in developing countries. Candidates are expected to have a high degree of self-motivation, leading their research project with the support of supervisors.
