PhD Opportunity: Exploring Climate Change Politics with Artificial Intelligence

Are you a driven and curious individual interested in harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence to illuminate the complex world of climate action? Intrigued by the political intricacies influencing global climate adaptation policies? The PhD project at the intersection of artificial intelligence and climate change politics might be your calling!

Project Overview:

This exceptional PhD position is part of the NWO-VIDI project under the guidance of Dr. Robbert Biesbroek from the Public Administration and Policy group. The project, titled “High ambitions, (s)low implementation? The politics of tracking adaptation to climate change (2023-2027),” delves into the critical realm of climate adaptation tracking politics.

Context:

As societies grapple with climate change impacts, tracking adaptation progress has emerged as a vital aspect. Governments worldwide profess ambitious climate adaptation goals. However, translating these ambitions into tangible action is a complex challenge. This project aims to uncover the underlying political dynamics that influence the tracking of climate change adaptation.

Your Role:

As a PhD candidate, your responsibilities will encompass:

• Utilizing advanced machine learning tools to create comprehensive evidence maps on the political aspects of climate and sustainability policy tracking.
• Employing natural language processing techniques to analyze adaptation tracking politics across diverse sources such as media, policy documents, speeches, and more, on national and global scales.
• Facilitating and participating in workshops focused on adaptation tracking politics.
• Leading the development of four scientific publications that will form the core of your PhD dissertation. Additionally, you’ll contribute to program-level publications as a co-author.
• Presenting your findings at national and international scientific conferences and symposia.

Location: Wageningen

Application Deadline: September 25, 2023

Requirements:

To be eligible for this position, you should possess:

• An MSc degree in computational social sciences, computer science, artificial intelligence, or a relevant field with a quantitative focus (e.g., political science, public administration, sustainability science).
• Proficiency in programming (R or Python).
• Experience with natural language processing tools such as social network analysis, sentiment analysis, topic modeling, etc., along with handling large volumes of textual data. Knowledge of Deep Learning language models is advantageous.
• The ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team consisting of qualitative and quantitative researchers from diverse fields.
• Strong English communication skills for scientific publishing (TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.0 if English is not your native language).

What You Gain:

Working within the NWO-VIDI project, you’ll collaborate with Dr. Robbert Biesbroek and Prof. Dr. Ioannis Athanasiadis. You’ll receive a fully funded PhD position, customized course programs, and an opportunity to work in an international and dynamic environment. Additionally, Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment, including paid parental leave, flexible working hours, and various career advancement opportunities.

Explore More:

Visit the official job posting for comprehensive information about qualifications, responsibilities, and application procedures. Experience the vibrant learning atmosphere at Wageningen University & Research, and contribute to unraveling the intricate politics of climate adaptation using the power of artificial intelligence.