The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Japan, is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher (Research Associate) position focusing on agent-based simulation and behavioural change aimed at reducing environmental footprints.
This position may be of interest to early-career researchers who enjoy combining social science, life cycle thinking, and simulation modelling.
Research focus
The successful candidate will work on agent-based social simulation to study everyday behaviours with high environmental impacts, such as energy-intensive lifestyles, meat consumption, car and air travel, linear consumption patterns, and/or citizenship behaviours.
Key research questions include:
- How do people transition away from high-environmental-impact behaviours?
- How do policies influence everyday decisions and environmental footprints related to energy, food, mobility, and consumption?
- Under what conditions do social tipping points occur toward decarbonized, circular, and nature-positive societies?
What we are looking for
- A Ph.D. (or close to completion) in a relevant field
- Experience with programming, modelling, or data analysis
- Interest in human behaviour and sustainability challenges
- Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary research environment
What we offer
- Research with strong real-world and policy relevance
- Access to high-performance computing clusters dedicated to agent-based simulation
- Dedicated institutional funding for behavioural data collection (e.g. consumer surveys) and engagement with the international research community (e.g. conference travel)
- A multi-disciplinary team with expertise in environmental footprint analysis and behavioural science, enabling close collaboration on high-impact simulation research
- Opportunities to publish, grow an international research profile, and build global networks
- The chance to live and work in Japan, with convenient access to the Tokyo metropolitan area, while tackling global sustainability issues
Appointment details
- The position offers a maximum contract duration of up to five years (initial appointment through March 2027, with possible extensions)
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; early applications by the end of January are encouraged
Full details and application instructions are available at:
https://www.nies.go.jp/osirase/saiyo/r08-e-008e.pdf
For informal questions about the position or research environment, please feel free to contact Dr. Ryu Koide, Senior Researcher, Material Cycles Division / Group Leader, Consumption and Behavioural Change, National Institute for Environmental Studies (koide.ryu@nies.go.jp).