Research Assistant x 2 - Quantifying the Effects of Polar Climate Change, 1 FTE, School of Business and Economics, 011989

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for 2 full-time (1 FTE), fixed term positions as Research Assistants with the Discipline of Economics at the University of Galway, Ireland.

The 2 positions are funded by the Wellcome Trust’s funded project the ‘Effects of Polar Climate Change on Global Health and Healthcare’ in conjunction with the University of Exeter and are available from the 20th of October 2026 to contract end date of the 31st of December 2026 (with possible extension to February, 2027).

The “Effects of Polar Climate Change on Global Health and Healthcare” project was a 3-year project that aims to develop new integrated assessment models, Health-POLAR and Healthcare IND-POLAR, to supplement existing climate health analyses by assessing the additional impacts of polar tipping points on human health. Now in its final 3 months the project seeks to understand the economic cost of heat related mortality from climate change induced polar melt. These results will be used to communicate these impacts to enable policymakers, healthcare industry leaders, and citizens in climate-vulnerable regions to develop more effective adaptation plans.

Salary: Research Assistant salary scale €34,129 - €44,311 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

(Research Salary Scales - University of Galway)

Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 27th of October 2026. It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.

*Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement

Research Assistant x 2 Quantifying the Effects of Polar Climate Change on Global Health and Healthcare J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics Ref. No 011989

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for 2 full-time (1 FTE) , fixed term positions as Research Assistants with the Discipline of Economics at the University of Galway, Ireland.

The 2 positions are funded by the Wellcome Trust’s funded project the ‘Effects of Polar Climate Change on Global Health and Healthcare’ in conjunction with the University of Exeter and are available from the 20th of October 2026 to contract end date of the 31st of December 2026 (with possible extension to February, 2027).

The "Effects of Polar Climate Change on Global Health and Healthcare" project was a 3-year project that aims to develop new integrated assessment models, Health-POLAR and Healthcare IND-POLAR, to supplement existing climate health analyses by assessing the additional impacts of polar tipping points on human health. Now in its final 3 months the project seeks to understand the economic cost of heat related mortality from climate change induced polar melt. These results will be used to communicate these impacts to enable policymakers, healthcare industry leaders, and citizens in climate-vulnerable regions to develop more effective adaptation plans.

Salary: Research Assistant salary scale €34,129 - €44,311 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts. The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale. (Research Salary Scales - University of Galway)

Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 27th of October 2026. It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.

*Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Description: The 2 successful candidate s will, over the course of the project , work with the wider project team in the University of Galway and the University of Exeter to:

• Estimate the economic value of the impact of polar climate change on 3 key health indicators; heat related mortality, loss of labour due to heat and vector borne infectious diseases globally. • Develop a meta-analytic benefit-transfer exercise for mortality -risk valuation to quantify the economic impacts polar climate change. • Work with colleagues in the University of Galway to integrate the model results into the new integrated assessment models Health -POLAR and Healthcare IND -POLAR • Work with colleagues in Arctic Basecamp to r aise awareness of and engagement with key target audiences on the global risks of health outcomes resulting from polar change. Duties: To deliver the overall project aim, the successful candidate will perform the following activities: • Conduct the specified programme of research and scholarship outlined above under the supervision and direction of Professor Karyn Morrissey • Using econometrical based approaches, d etermine the most appropriate methodologies required to address the research goal • Develop a deep understanding of the polar climate change on the global economy • Collaborate with colleagues across the in the University of Exeter and Arctic Basecamp on areas of shared research interest. • In conjunction with the wider project collaborators, contribute to the publication of the research findings in leading disciplinary journals. • Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Essential Requirements: • MSc in social science based field of research (for example economics, epidemiology, geography) • Previous experience conducting scoping reviews • Previous experience using econometrical techniques for research in the global environmental domain • Good fluency in technical English, both spoken and written

Desirable Requirements: • Previous experience working as a research assistant with a policy relevant research area • Previous experience working on the economic impacts of climate change • Previous experience using non market valuation techniques, in particular value transfer • Experience using a variety of statistical software including Stata, R and Python.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Continuing Professional Development/Training: Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways

either within or beyond academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see HERE for further information.

FURTHER INFORMATION/LINKS

• TO APPLY: Search Current University of Galway vacancies. Applications must be submitted online. o How to apply guide • For informal enquiries, please contact Karyn Morrissey, Professor of Environmental and Marine Economics, J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics, Email: [email protected]

• University's Strategic Plan

• Working in Research at University of Galway

• Moving to Ireland (Euraxess)

• Applicant Information

• We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

• University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

• All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment.