Research Associate position (50%)
in the project "The Political Economy
of Coal Policy" (Basel)
Start date: October 1, 2019
Duration of the contract: 18 months

The research group of Political Economics of Energy Policy (Prof. Aya Kachi) in the Faculty of Business and Economics invites applications for a Research Associate position with a 50% appointment. The position will also be linked to the ongoing research within SCCER CREST, one of the Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research. We are looking for a motivated scholar who already holds a master's degree at the time of application.

Your position
The researcher will engage in the third-party funded project "The Political Economy of Coal Policy: Comparative Analyses of Stakeholder Strategies and Resource Industries' Embeddedness in the International Economy (COALSTAKE)". This interdisciplinary project draws from Political Science, Economics, Sociology and Transition Studies, analyzing the political economy of energy policy with a specific focus on coal in 4 cases: Australia, Canada, Germany, and Japan. The project specifically addresses the involvement of energy stakeholders in policymaking processes. For more information about the funded project, please read the project overview here:
https://wwz.unibas.ch/en/politicaleconomicsenergypolicy/projectcoalstake/
Apart from a strong interest in the topic as such, strong social science methods skills are especially welcome. Specialized skills such as conducting surveys or interviews with stakeholders and conducting social network analysis are not required but a plus. Proficiency in English, as well as the ability to work both in a collaborative and independent setting are required.
The position is ideal for candidates who want to acquire experience with the research and academic publication process before potentially starting an own PhD project.

Your profile
The Research Associate position will require:

• Master's degree in Political Science, Sociology, Economics with policy focus, or a related field of study.
• Strong interest in at least one of the following areas: Political economy, climate policy, energy policy, sustainability transitions.
• Very good command in English.
• Strong interest in research methods and proficiency in some of the following methods:
• Qualitative and comparative social science methods
• Quantitative data processing and analyses using R or Stata
• Quantitative network analysis
• Planning, implementation and analysis of semi-structured interviews with decision-makers
• Planning, implementation and analysis of surveys
• Qualitative and comparative social science methods
• Quantitative data processing and analyses using R or Stata
• Quantitative network analysis
• Planning, implementation and analysis of semi-structured interviews with decision-makers
• Planning, implementation and analysis of surveys

We encourage researchers with the following skills to apply:

• Being a team player.
• Willingness to assume responsibility for administrative project parts.
• Very good command in Japanese is a plus.
• Proficiency in typesetting with LaTeX is a plus.
• Bibliography organization using Mendeley is a plus.

We offer you
The research project addresses major challenges of current socio-economic systems. You will be engaging in cutting-edge social science research that is expected to have a major impact. Becoming part of this project also means you will become part of a growing network of scholars and practitioners that shape the future of energy systems. We offer a dynamic working environment in a team of international scholars.

Please upload your application as a single PDF file via the online application portal of the university (see "Apply" button below). Applications which are not submitted via the online application portal of the university won't be considered. Your application should include:In addition, an academic referee should send a recommendation letter to Prof. Aya Kachi (energiepolitik-wwz@unibas.ch). Application deadline: September 1, 2019 (or when the position is filled). If you have questions about the position, please contact Prof. Aya Kachi (energiepolitik-wwz@unibas.ch).

www.unibas.ch