Within the framework of the continuity plan of the Center for Integrated Disaster Management (CIGIDEN), a transition driven by «Interdisciplinary Research Challenges» has been proposed, where researchers from different lines work collaboratively on projects grouped into Work Packages (WPs). On the other hand, the Department of Construction Engineering and Management at the School of Engineering of Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC) has proposed the formulation of interdisciplinary proposals in collaboration with related Centers or academic units in its strategic plan for the next four years. Similarly, the Latin American Center for Economic and Social Policies of UC (Clapes UC) proposes, within its vision, the identification of solutions and improvements for policies, as well as the generation of indicators that contribute to the well-being of citizens. These initiatives are led by researchers affiliated with these academic units, who are willing to work collaboratively and interdisciplinarily, with the support of a postdoctoral researcher aligned with the common topics presented.
The current call for a postdoctoral researcher position is to join WP3 of CIGIDEN: «Multi-risk assessment and impacts of critical infrastructure disruptions,» a group of academics in infrastructure from the Department of Construction Engineering and Management at the UC, and researchers specializing in Social Project Evaluation from CLAPES UC. The main objective of this call is the «Development of probabilistic multi-risk models for road infrastructure exposed to natural hazards and their integration into the social evaluation of projects (cost-benefit analysis).» Innovatively, these models are expected to integrate multiple hazards by combining probabilities of occurrence while considering spatial and temporal uncertainty in the life cycle of road infrastructure. Additionally, it is expected to propose a method for integrating multi-risk into the social evaluation of road infrastructure projects that incorporates resilience measures into the cost-benefit analysis.
This postdoctoral call seeks a postdoctoral researcher interested in developing interdisciplinary research alongside a team of researchers from various fields (engineering, geology, geography, economics, mathematics). The candidate’s background is expected to focus on risk analysis of road infrastructure in the face of natural hazards and infrastructure management.
Specifically, the objectives to be developed during the postdoctoral period are as follows:
1. Develop probabilistic multi-risk models applied to the road network, integrating multiple hazards into the life cycle of the infrastructure.
2. Propose and apply a model that allows for the integration of multi-risk reduction and/or the increase of resilience in the social evaluation of road infrastructure projects.
The candidate must demonstrate research capability, leadership, and teamwork in an interdisciplinary environment. Additionally, the selected candidate is expected to integrate into the working teams in the three described academic units. The candidate will be required to produce at least one scientific article to be submitted to a high-impact WoS-indexed journal (Q1 or Q2) and one policy brief. If meeting the requirements, the candidate must apply to the ANID Postdoctoral Program and available postdoctoral calls at the UC during the period.
Funding will be provided by the Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (CIGIDEN), the Department of Construction Engineering and Management at UC, and Clapes UC. The position will be for a maximum period of 18 months, ideally starting in August 2024.
The gross monthly amount is $2,147,250, full-time.
The workplace will be CIGIDEN and the Department of Construction Engineering and Management UC, Santiago, Chile, with the possibility of remote work by agreement with the academic units.
Requirements:
Applicants must hold a PhD degree in one of the following areas: Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, Statistics, or related fields. Interdisciplinary research experience at the predoctoral and/or postdoctoral stage will be positively evaluated.
Interested candidates should send an email to Tomás Echaveguren (techaveg@udec.cl), Alondra Chamorro (machamor@uc.cl), and Hernán de Solminihac (hsolmini@uc.cl) with the subject «Postdoc Call CIGIDEN-DIGC-CLAPESUC.» Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with priority given to those submitted before August 15, 2024. The application should include the following information:
- Curriculum Vitae including contact details of two references we may contact for recommendations.
- Research proposal including a general formulation of the research, objectives, methodology, and work plan (maximum 3 pages).
- Motivation letter outlining the connection with the project topic, research interests, and expected contribution to the project.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Selected candidates will be contacted via email and will be invited to a first interview in a virtual format.
For more information, please contact the coordinating researchers: Tomás Echaveguren (techaveg@udec.cl), Alondra Chamorro (machamor@uc.cl), and Hernán de Solminihac (hsolmini@uc.cl).
