Ref No.: ARA-ECD-ERA-197

ONE (1) ASSISTANT RESEARCHER A’ POSITION AT THE ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE DEPARTMENT

ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (www.eratosthenes.org.cy) of the Cyprus University of Technology (www.cut.ac.cy) invites applications for one (1) position at the Researcher Assistant A’ level at the Environment and Climate Department of ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence. The position is open either on a full-time (100%) or part-time employment basis. The successful candidate will conduct research under multiple Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence projects funded by the European Union and / or commenced or prone to commence services. The successful candidate will conduct research under multiple Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence projects funded by the European Union, including the flagship Excelsior H2020 Teaming project (https://excelsior2020.eu/).

ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence is an autonomous Centre of Excellence with Cyprus University of Technology as its sole stakeholder, specialising in earth observation, space technology and geospatial analysis. Cyprus University of Technology has a 16-year experience in earth observations and geospatial analysis. Through the ‘EXCELSIOR’ H2020 Teaming Project (https://excelsior2020.eu/), ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence aspires to become a Digital Innovation Hub for Earth Observation and Geospatial Information by offering knowledge, responsible research, open innovation and application services capable of sustaining Cyprus’ development. ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence aspires to actively contribute to the European Research Area (ERA) priorities in Atmosphere and Climate, Resilient Societies and Big Earth Data Analytics, as well as to become the reference Earth Observation/Geoinformation Centre for research and innovation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa (EMMENA) region.

A core activity of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence is to conduct high caliber, state-of-the-art research, both basic and applied. A central task is to acquire research funding for the Centre, to provide facilities to the researchers, and to support them to acquire funding for their research independently and via international and local collaborations. Collaborations with industrial partners are particularly encouraged and facilitated.

Appropriate measures of success will be collaboratively determined based on the Centre’s strategic growth plan and sustainability targets. These will be revised periodically by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

Description of the Position
The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence is seeking a qualified and motivated individual to join its Environment and Climate Department as Research Assistant A’. The successful candidate will support research activities within European-funded projects, including the Nemesis and LandShift Horizon Europe initiatives. The role centers on social sciences, stakeholder engagement, and Living Labs methodologies, with an emphasis on fostering inclusive, participatory, and community-driven approaches to address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable land management, and socio-environmental resilience. The selected candidate will work on designing, implementing, and evaluating multi-actor engagement processes, supporting the co-creation of solutions with stakeholders across academia, governance, civil society, and industry. They will also contribute to the development of methodologies for assessing social dimensions of environmental interventions, including perceptions, behavioral aspects, and governance structures. A core component of the position is contributing to the design and operation of Living Labs, ensuring active participation, coordinated stakeholder collaboration, and effective communication pathways. The candidate will also support activities related to social innovation, capacity building, community empowerment, and the integration of social science insights into project design, implementation, and long-term sustainability strategies.

Nemesis is a forward-looking European initiative tackling the accelerating threats of desertification and soil degradation across the Mediterranean. The project brings together science, policy, and society by establishing five autonomous yet interconnected Soil Health Living Labs in Cyprus, France, Italy, North Africa, and Spain. These Living Labs operate as dynamic innovation ecosystems where real-world experimentation, community engagement, and data-driven insights converge. Nemesis integrates multiscale soil health data, local knowledge, and advanced monitoring methods to co-design sustainable land management practices tailored to each region’s environmental and socio-economic context. By empowering local communities and emphasizing the needs of future generations, the Living Labs evolve into demonstration sites for resilient and regenerative soil restoration solutions. The project advances evidence-based decision-making by establishing robust mechanisms to translate field insights into policy-relevant knowledge, supporting EU soil legislation and contributing to broader Mediterranean resilience strategies. Through capacity building, inclusive participation, and cross-border collaboration, Nemesis strengthens stewardship of soil resources and accelerates the transition toward healthy, productive, and climate-resilient landscapes across the Mediterranean and beyond.

LandShift is an innovative initiative addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable land management in the EU’s land-use sector. It aims to reduce biogenic emissions and enhance ecosystem resilience by utilizing Living Earths, integrating FAO LCCS with optimized Earth Observation data, and Data Cubes as centralized data hubs. LandShift focuses on planning Nature-Based Solutions aligned with the New European Bauhaus, promoting carbon sequestration, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem services. The project emphasizes data-driven decision-making with robust MRV systems to track progress and inform policy. Through outreach and capacity building, LandShift fosters collaboration and empowers stakeholders to advance sustainable land use practices.

Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be placed in the Environment & Climate Department of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, and is expected to contribute towards shaping and advancing its research and innovation agenda by:

1. Understanding ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence operations and becoming familiar with its mission, research priorities, and interdisciplinary approach.
2. Participating in the preparation and submission of project deliverables, ensuring that social science insights and stakeholder perspectives are accurately reflected.
3. Designing, implementing, and monitoring stakeholder engagement processes, including Living Lab activities, co-creation workshops, participatory methodologies, and community consultations.
4. Developing and applying methodologies for assessing social, behavioral, and governance dimensions of environmental interventions, including participatory evaluation frameworks and social impact assessments.
5. Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data from diverse socio-environmental contexts, and preparing scientific reports, presentations, and publications based on these insights.
6. Collaborating with stakeholders across academia, governance, civil society, and industry to co-develop practical and socially grounded solutions that enhance community engagement, social acceptance, and long-term sustainability.
7. Contributing to the development of sustainability, scalability, and social innovation strategies for project activities, Living Labs, and community-driven initiatives.
8. Disseminating and communicating project results through peer-reviewed publications, conference participation, stakeholder events, information days, and targeted outreach activities.
9. Assisting in the establishment of local, regional, and international networks involving social scientists, practitioners, community groups, and policy stakeholders to support the long-term research agenda of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence.
10. Assisting in the preparation of grant proposals to secure funding from national, regional, and international sources, integrating social science methodologies and stakeholder-driven approaches.
11. Participating in knowledge transfer activities, including the organization of workshops, training sessions, capacity-building activities, and broader public engagement actions.
12. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure alignment between social science contributions and project objectives, while advancing the mission of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence.
13. Participating in meetings at the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, providing updates on progress and contributing to collaborative planning.
14. Working towards fulfilling ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence mission goals, especially those related to community engagement, co-creation, and socio-environmental resilience.
15. Undertaking any other relevant duties deemed necessary for the successful implementation of ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence activities and projects.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in Sociology or Social Sciences or Anthropology or Human Geography or Political Science or Development Studies, or a closely related field.
2. Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Sociology or Social Innovation or Environmental Social Sciences or Sustainable Development or Human Geography or any other closely related field.
3. Demonstrated expertise in stakeholder engagement, participatory approaches, co-creation processes, and the Living Labs methodology, particularly in their design, implementation, and monitoring.
4. Experience working with communities and socio-ecological systems.
5. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, including qualitative and/or mixed-methods research capabilities.
6. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team, as well as work with interdisciplinary and international partners.
7. Effective communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups and convey social science insights to technical, scientific, and policy audiences.
8. Knowledge of research ethics and ethical considerations in qualitative or participatory research.
9. Proven experience in documenting and presenting research results, such as through articles, reports, workshops, or academic presentations, is mandatory.
10. Experience using qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti) or stakeholder mapping/engagement tools (e.g., Miro, Social Network Analysis) is considered an advantage.
11. Demonstrated involvement in educational, training, or capacity-building activities, such as contributing to or supporting workshops, community learning processes, training sessions, or the development of training and knowledge-transfer materials, is considered an advantage.
12. Experience in preparing scientific or technical project proposals (e.g., Horizon Europe, national calls) is considered an advantage.
13. Excellent command of English is mandatory, while knowledge of Greek or any other language relevant to the position is considered an advantage.
14. Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment, engaging with stakeholders across academia, governance, civil society, and industry.

Minimum Requirements for the post of Assistant Researcher A’
The minimum requirement for the position of Assistant Researcher A’ is a master’s degree from a recognized university.
The appointment will be for a period of one year (12 months) with the prospect of renewal for another one year. The annual gross salary for the (full-time) position will range from €25468.08 to €35778.08, depending on qualifications. It is noted that there is provision for 13^th salary (the cost of the 13^th salary is proportionally incorporated in the monthly remuneration).
 
Interested candidates must submit their application comprising of all documents listed below not later than 27 March 2026 at 14.00 CYPRUS TIME, which is the deadline for the submission of the applications.

• A cover letter in English clearly specifying availability date for full time employment;
• Scanned or electronic copies of degree certificates and relevant qualifications. True copies of the originals will be requested for the shortlisted candidates;
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae in English (including contact details);
• The shortlisted candidates may be asked to submit Letters of Reference by three referees.

* Please combine all necessary documents in one PDF file and then upload them to the “Resume” section.

Apply here: https://eratosthenes.peopleforce.io/careers/v/183958-assistant-researcher-a-at-the-environment-and-climate-department
 
If you have previously applied for any position at ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, a new application is required.

Screening of applications will begin immediately after this deadline and all applicants will be notified accordingly.

For further information visit ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence webpage at http://www.eratosthenes.org.cy.

For general inquiries, applicants may contact the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, at vacancies@eratosthenes.org.cy.

It is noted that:

• For non-EU applicants a work permit will be required;
• Applications will be treated in strict confidence. All information provided will comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union;
• The job requires that the Researcher is physically present at the Centre’s premises;
• ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence is an equal opportunity employer;
• ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence does not discriminate in any way on the basis of gender, religion or belief, ethnic, national or social origin, age, physical ability, marital status and sexual orientation;
• The title of the position may be modified.

Interested candidates must submit their application comprising of all documents listed below not later than 27 March 2026 at 14.00 CYPRUS TIME, which is the deadline for the submission of the applications.