Post-Doctoral Researcher/Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher

Please note that this position can be filled at Post-Doctoral or Senior Post-Doctoral level, depending on qualification and experience of the successful candidate.

The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that the warming of the climate system is unequivocal and predicts that future changes in climate may lead to increased risk to critical infrastructure. The aim of the BRACE project, as part of the wider Met Éireann TRANSLATE project, is to create; i) advance the understanding of future extreme weather events in Ireland and ii) develop climate impact and risk assessments for various sectors in the form of risk-based decision support tools. It is intended that these initiatives will help in determining Ireland’s future climate risks and assist with climate adaptation planning. The advertised position is concerned with part ii) of the Translate Project i.e. risk-based decision support.

Risk tools can be used to establish the need for climate adaptation based on projected changes in future risks, and the effectiveness of adaptation strategies in reducing climate impacts to acceptable levels. Importantly, the risk approach facilitates incorporation of the high-level of uncertainty and variability associated with climate change, infrastructure performance, and socio-economic parameters. Approaches to risk assessment vary from qualitative to semi-quantitative to quantitative, with each stepped progression providing a greater level of information on which to base adaptation decisions. The proposed research will build upon the work in the previous two TRANSLATE phases through development of more detailed fully quantitative risk assessments, considering cross-sectoral aspects, and compounding/cascading events. This will be achieved in the context of Irish case studies with the critical infrastructure domains.

The following are the primary desirable candidate criteria:

• A PhD in Engineering or similar discipline
• Strong engineering and analytical skills
• Computer modelling skills (i.e. MATLAB or Python)
• A comprehensive understanding of statistics/statistical modelling
• Backgrounds in probabilistic modelling and quantitative risk assessment would be an advantage,
• A background in flood modelling or drainage system design/modelling would also be an advantage.
• The successful candidate will be fluent in both written and spoken English

The primary duties for the post will include numerical modelling, risk analysis and project co-ordination. Publishing of papers in high-ranking academic journals will be a high priority.

Project:  BRACE: Building Resilience and Adaptation Capacity for future extreme Events.

Duration:  2 Years, whole-time Post (extension might be possible)

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Enquiries to Dr. Páraic Ryan, Discipline of Civil Engineering, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4903862; Paraic.ryan@ucc.ie

Applications must be submitted online by clicking on the apply button above.

Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie quoting the job-title.

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday 22^nd May 2026.

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