Technician Transport and health modelling in Europe (UBDPolicy)

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal, is the fruit of an innovative alliance between academic, government, and philanthropic institutions to contribute to the efforts undertaken by the international community to address the challenges in global health.

ISGlobal is looking for a technician who will help with the quantitative analysis of a European travel survey and apply data science methodologies to predict travel behaviour in European cities as part of the EC funded UBDPolicy project. The project aims to conduct health impact assessment in many cities around Europe to assess benefits, risks and costs of urban and transport planning scenarios and related environmental and lifestyle exposures.

UBD Policy “the urban burden of disease estimation for policy making” is a 4-years Horizon Europe project grant number 101094639 coordinated by ISGlobal.

THE URBAN BURDEN OF DISEASE ESTIMATION FOR POLICY MAKING (UBDPolicy)

In Europe, more than 70% of the population lives in urban areas. Cities have long been known to be society’s predominant engine of innovation and wealth creation, yet they are also a main source of pollution, disease and mortality, which is to some extent linked to suboptimal urban and transport planning practices.

UBDPOLICY aims to improve the estimation of health impacts and socio-economic costs and/or benefits of environmental stressors, advance methodological approaches and foster their acceptance as common good practice for urban areas, to help strengthen evidence-based policy making at city, national and EU level. The project will focus on nearly 1000 cities and environmental stressors including air pollution, noise, temperature/heat and lack of green space. UBDPOLICY will also include physical activity as a main determinant of health and examine the effects of gender and inequality in the impact estimations.

The project aims to produce a system that will provide updates every three years to be able to monitor progress. It will extensively involve stakeholders and conduct knowledge translation. UBDPOLICY will use transdisciplinary and systemic approaches bringing together a team of, amongst others, experts and practitioners in urban and transport planning, environment and public health, economics, retail and business, education sector, policy analysis, knowledge translation and involve citizens and NGOs.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The technician will work with a European travel survey and implement data science methodologies to estimate and predict travel behavior in European cities. This work will feed into health impact assessment of urban and transport planning scenarios and related exposures in European cities. Her/his work will produce a novel and replicable methodology to estimate travel behavior on a large scale in Europe.

Main duties and tasks: To conduct quantitative analysis and implement data science methods for transport modelling. The technician will work together with others on the study to manage data and conduct the statistical analyses and may work on engagement with stakeholders and consortium members.

Requirements

Strong motivation to engage in interdisciplinary and intersectoral work

Willingness to participate in consortium training events, dissemination and engaging activities

Strong skills in English, written as well as oral

Degree in statistics, data science, public health or equivalent

Experience with travel behaviour models

Capable of working with large datasets

Programming in R and/or Python

Skills in writing and reporting

Good organisational skills

Good communications skills

Can work in groups

AUXILIAR TASKS

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.

SKILLS

Teamwork.

Problem resolution.

Learning capacity.

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety. The post holder will respect, and be accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

LANGUAGE LEVEL

Proficiency in English.

CONDITIONS

Duration: A 6 months part-time appointment (25h/week)

Starting date: 16/06/2026

Contract Type: Part time

Salary: According to ISGlobal salary scale

An exciting, multi-disciplinary and international research environment with ample opportunities for exchange with scholars from related disciplines at the universities and research institutes in the consortium, as well as with the local partner organizations and local stakeholders.

Additional training and networking opportunities through participation in international conferences

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Letter of motivation

Curriculum Vitae

Copy of highest diploma. The minimum requirement is a diploma qualifying for doctoral studies in the recruiting country (e.g. Master degree). Students in their last year may apply but can only be recruited upon successful graduation.

Contact details of two referees (no recommendation letter)

Writing sample (e.g. student’s paper or chapter thesis) preferably in English

Passport copy

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must fill in the request form and attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname.

The receipt of applications will be open until 10th of October 2025.

The interviews could be placed during the reception of candidatures period.

Diverse candidatures are encouraged, that includes: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be passed. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.