Research possibilities for the SEAS postdoctoral research fellow in system dynamics and ocean-human interactions

This position is connected to the use of participatory system dynamics modelling within the thematic area of Ocean-Human Interactions, particularly the challenges imposed by mining (seabed and other forms of mining) on the management of marine ecosystems and the industries and communities depending on them. The position is open to either an incoming or an outgoing candidate, see mobility rules. The successful candidate will be employed at the Department of Geography and included in the System Dynamics Group. Information about the supervisor, research group and research possibilities for the fellow is available below. For further details about the research possibilities please contact Professor Birgit Kopainsky.

The supervisor: Birgit Kopainsky, professor in System Dynamics with a focus on the role of system dynamics modeling in facilitating transformation processes in social-ecological systems towards sustainability and resilience. Birgit Kopainsky has the program responsibility for the master program in system dynamics and is on the program board of the master in sustainable development. Project management experience includes: PI or co-PI in projects that have received funding from the EU (Research and Innovation Action, COST Action), European Economic Area Financial Mechanisms, the University of Bergen, the Research Council of Norway, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the International Livestock Research Institute, ETH Zurich World Food System Center, the Peder Sather Center for Advanced Studies at UC Berkeley, and the University of Zurich.

The research group: Use of system dynamics simulation models to explore economic, social and environmental outcomes of resource use and to assess the effectiveness of proposed management and policy actions. Facilitation of participatory modeling processes that help integrating science-based knowledge and local knowledge so that stakeholders at different levels are better able to continuously test, learn about, and develop knowledge and understanding to cope with change and uncertainty.

Most important current research projects: UiB Cross-faculty PhD project with the Centre for Deep Sea Research on Subsea-industry transition from oil and gas sector towards alternative sustainable deep sea resources; UiB Cross-faculty PhD project with the Psychology Faculty on the role of participatory system dynamics in collaboration on sustainable natural resource use; EU project on the co-creation of policies with a cross-cutting participatory system dynamics component; EEA project on using participatory system dynamics for collaborative local decarbonization; COAST Card project – Coastal Ocean Assessment for Sustainability and Transformation.

Research possibilities for the fellow - topical frame: The postdoctoral fellow position addresses the challenges imposed by mining (seabed and other forms of mining) on the management of marine ecosystems and the industries and communities depending on them. The position works with case studies and adopts a cross-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder systems approach. For this purpose, it uses computer simulation models that support stakeholders in experimenting, in a virtual environment, with the consequences of varying technology and policy assumptions in different socio-economic contexts on a broad range of sustainability indicators. Implementation of a participatory modelling process in both developed and developing nations will provide strong global models for future work towards sustainable policy design for marine mineral industrial development.

Opportunities for collaboration and innovation

Opportunities for collaboration within currently ongoing research projects (cf. above, all with strong international partner network); excellent network within the System Dynamics community globally; opportunities for collaboration with Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, International Seabed Authority, industry players, technology start-up community, environmental organizations through research group.

Environments at UiB where it may be relevant to have a co-supervisor

Centre for Deep Sea Research; Research group for Natural Resource Law, Environmental Law and Development Law; Center for the Science of Learning & Technology.

The full advertisement in Jobbnorge will be available after august 1, 2021. Call deadline is October 31, 2021.