Early Career Researcher in Climate Adaptation and Resilience Planning & Governance

CMCC Position cod. 12843

Early Career Researcher in Climate Adaptation and Resilience Planning & Governance

Deadline: November 2nd, 2026

What we are looking for

Are you ready to join a dynamic and interdisciplinary team where your expertise in urban and territorial planning can directly contribute to advancing climate adaptation, resilience, and risk-informed decision-making? We are looking for a highly motivated and well-organized Early Career Researcher in Climate Adaptation and Resilience Planning & Governance, with a background in urban and spatial planning, environmental planning, or related fields, and a demonstrated interest in climate adaptation, resilience, and risk-informed decision-making. The ideal candidate is developing experience in the integration of climate adaptation and resilience considerations into urban and territorial planning processes, with a particular focus on governance, policy development, decision-making, and the implementation of strategies and measures. The position requires the ability to understand and connect climate risk information with planning frameworks, institutional processes, urban development strategies, and investment decisions.

The candidate should demonstrate familiarity with climate risk and vulnerability assessment in urban environments, and with approaches for translating scientific evidence and risk information into planning priorities, policies, strategies, and actionable measures.

Initial experience in the development or analysis of climate adaptation plans, urban resilience strategies, spatial plans, or related policy instruments will be highly valued.

A understanding of multi-level governance, institutional coordination, stakeholder engagement, and policy mainstreaming is particularly relevant.

The candidate should be able to work across disciplines and institutional contexts, bridging climate science, urban planning, policy, and decision-making. Familiarities with participatory approaches, decision-support frameworks, climate services, spatial planning tools, or GIS-based analysis is considered an asset. Strong analytical and organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and proactive engagement with interdisciplinary teams, public authorities, practitioners, and external stakeholders are highly valued.

About us

CMCC Foundation is a cross-cutting scientific research center on climate change and its interactions with the environment, society, the world of business, and policymakers. Our work aims to stimulate sustainable growth, protect the environment, and develop strategies for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. CMCC's core objective is to conduct cutting-edge science, to train the next generation of scientists at both national and international levels, and to be a beacon for climate modelling.

CMCC pursues fundamental and applied science with utmost scientific integrity, prioritizing data-driven science and providing data, information, and research results that can support informed public debate and decision-making processes. To achieve climate research objectives at the highest international standards, we invest in training all our talents, and strive to create a workplace where everyone can excel.

At CMCC you will find a strong, professional environment. Join an inclusive community that values diversity, where every voice is heard and respected. Help foster a culture of innovation and societal change, where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive and succeed.

Over the last decade, CMCC has experienced extraordinary growth. We are now embarking on a new chapter of our journey that will further boost CMCC’s global position in climate change research…Together!

To learn more about this opportunity and submit your application, please refer to the following:

ROLE

The Early Career Researcher will be part of the REMHI Division – Regional Models and geo-Hydrological Impacts, reporting to the Division Director, and will contribute to research and innovation activities focused on climate adaptation planning and governance, and risk-informed decision-making in urban environments.

The role focuses on the integration of climate considerations into urban and territorial planning processes, supporting the development of approaches, methodologies, and decision-support frameworks and tools for mainstreaming climate adaptation and resilience across planning and governance levels. The Researcher will contribute to activities related to urban climate risk assessment, adaptation and resilience strategies, planning processes, and multi-level governance, helping translate climate science and risk information into actionable planning and policy recommendations.

The Researcher will be involved in European research and innovation projects, including Horizon Europe initiatives, as well as in collaborations with national authorities, regional and local public administrations, and other institutional stakeholders, contributing to the development and application of approaches for climate adaptation and resilience, and risk-informed planning and decision-making.

Responsibilities

The Early Career Researcher in Climate Adaptation and Resilience Planning & Governance will support the research activities of the REMHI Division, with the following tasks, with:

Contribute to the mainstreaming of climate adaptation and resilience considerations into urban and territorial planning processes, policies, strategies, and decision-making frameworks;

Support the analysis of existing planning, policy, governance, and regulatory frameworks to identify barriers, opportunities, and entry points for integrating climate adaptation into urban and territorial development processes;

Support the development and application of urban climate risk, vulnerability, exposure, and resilience assessments, translating scientific and technical information into planning-relevant evidence and actionable recommendations;

Contribute to the development of climate adaptation and resilience strategies, action plans, planning recommendations, and policy-oriented tools, including the definition of priorities, objectives, indicators, and monitoring frameworks, as well as approaches for tracking the integration and implementation of adaptation measures across different planning scales;

Contribute to the assessment and comparison of urban adaptation and resilience scenarios, considering climate risks, spatial development patterns, vulnerabilities, co-benefits, trade-offs, and implementation constraints;

Support multi-level governance and stakeholder engagement activities, facilitating coordination among public authorities, planning institutions, technical actors, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders;

Contribute to interdisciplinary research connecting climate science, urban and territorial planning, risk assessment, governance, adaptation and resilience, working across different spatial and institutional scales;

Support the translation of climate risk and adaptation knowledge into accessible evidence, planning guidance, decision-support materials, and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners;

Support the preparation of technical reports, scientific publications, policy briefs, presentations, workshops, and other knowledge-transfer activities, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across climate science, planning, engineering, economics, and digital technologies.

Requirements

MSc / Laurea Magistrale in Urban Planning, Spatial Planning, Territorial Planning, Environmental Planning, Environmental Sciences, Urban Studies, or related disciplines. Candidates in an advanced stage of a doctoral programme in a relevant field (thesis submitted or close to completion) are particularly encouraged to apply;

Research or professional experience in urban and/or territorial planning, with a good understanding of planning processes, policy frameworks, governance structures, and decision-making mechanisms;

knowledge of climate change adaptation, climate risk, vulnerability, exposure, and resilience, particularly in relation to urban and territorial systems;

Experience in developing, assessing, or analysing climate adaptation and resilience strategies and plans, and related policy or planning instruments, including the integration of climate risk and adaptation considerations into planning and decision-making processes;

Knowledge of multi-level governance, institutional coordination, stakeholder engagement, and participatory approaches relevant to climate adaptation and resilience;

Ability to analyse and synthesize complex information across disciplines and translate climate science and risk assessments into actionable planning and policy recommendations;

Experience with GIS (preferably QGIS and/or ArcGIS) and spatial analysis tools, climate risk assessment methodologies, scenario development, spatial indicators, and monitoring frameworks is considered an asset;

Call details

• Institution: CMCC Foundation
• Call code: 12843
• Application deadline: 02/11/2026