진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

Job position

The Geography Department and the GEMOTT research group at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) are offering a fully funded two-year postdoctoral position within the ERC Starting Grant project ATRAPA – Active Travel Backlash Paradox (01/01/2024–31/12/2028).

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to research on social reactions to built-environment interventions aimed at sustainable urban mobility (e.g., superblocks, cycle lanes, low-emission zones, and other proximity-oriented policies). The main objective is to analyse the determinants of acceptance, opposition and backlash, with a particular focus on socio-ecological transition mechanisms, the diffusion of ideas and opinions, and the role of social networks and information channels. The work will be conducted in a comparative multi-city perspective, combining survey evidence (including longitudinal/panel designs), contextual data and—when relevant—qualitative materials.

Job position requirements (skills/languages/required experience)

PhD in urban studies, geography, sociology, political science, Science and Technology Studies (STS), applied economics, environmental social sciences, or related fields. Strong competence in quantitative data analysis using R or Python (data management, statistical modelling, visualisation, and reproducible workflows). Excellent English (written and spoken); Spanish and/or Catalan are an asset, and additional European languages are a plus. Demonstrated interest and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: socio-ecological transitions, diffusion of innovations/ideas, social influence and networks, information ecosystems, polarisation, and social acceptability of urban/environmental policies. Experience with survey design and analysis (preferably longitudinal/panel) and/or qualitative fieldwork (interviews, focus groups) is desirable. A track record of publications and participation in competitive research projects, plus the ability to work collaboratively in an international, interdisciplinary team.

The postdoctoral researcher will be tasked with the following activities:
• Developing a conceptual framework and hypotheses on how support and opposition form and diffuse around sustainable mobility

interventions, drawing on socio-ecological transitions, social influence and information-channel approaches.
• Contributing to the design and harmonisation of data-collection instruments (e.g., cross-city comparable survey modules and, where relevant, qualitative protocols) to capture trust networks, message exposure, information sources, perceived norms and polarisation dynamics.
• Leading or co-leading comparative multi-city analyses (quantitative and/or mixed-methods) to identify mechanisms, profile typologies and factors that trigger or moderate opposition and backlash over time.
• Coordinating with the project team to ensure methodological consistency, data quality and documentation, including validation procedures and robustness checks.
• Writing scientific outputs (reports, methodological notes, journal articles, conference presentations) and contributing to knowledge transfer through actionable recommendations (e.g., credible messengers, key social segments, and communication/participation strategies).

Benefits

22.000 € gross annual salary flexible work-time, 18,5h/week

Eligibility criteria

•Academic record – 50%
•PhD in the specialty 50%, PhD in general 20%
•Languages English– 15 %

C1 15%, B2 10% B1 5%
•Computing- 15%
•Experience – 20%

>3 years 20%, <3 years 10%

Selection process

- Phase 1: Eligibility check (this phase screens applicants based on mobility and degree rules to ensure they meet the academic requirements for the postdoctoral position).
- Phase 2: Evaluation of Merits.
- Phase 3: Interviews (only top candidates)
- Phase 4: Final Scoring and Ranking

To validate this request, you must validate the form that is accessed at the URL: https://seleccio.uab.cat

Any application that is not submitted in this way will not be included in the selection process.