Context and Mission The Barcelona Institute for General Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting‑edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non‑communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level.

Research is organised in five programmes: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases; and Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

In the framework of our Centre for Excellence Severo Ochoa Programme (CEX2023‑001290‑S), we are recruiting a post‑doctoral researcher with strong quantitative analysis skills to join the Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health research programme. The work will use data from the Horizon Europe projects CATALYSE and UBD Policy, which provide new knowledge, data and tools to close the knowledge‑to‑action gap and to improve the estimation of health and socioeconomic costs of urban environmental hazards. The researcher will develop projections of future health burdens attributable to urban environmental exposures (e.g. air pollution, green space) under detailed, policy‑relevant scenarios.

This will involve analysing a large dataset of 1,000 cities from the UBD Policy project and exploring the implications of European climate policy on urban health through state‑of‑the‑art health‑impact modelling methods.





The postdoctoral researcher will be based in the research group of Research Professor Cathryn Tonne, with co‑supervision by other ISGlobal investigators who specialise in health impact assessment and climate science. The researcher will be embedded in the institutional working group focused on Climate Action and Health as well as the international, inter‑disciplinary CATALYSE and UBD Policy consortia, providing networking and training opportunities for early‑career researchers.

This position is supported by funding from the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2024‑2028” Programme (CEX 2023‑001290‑S) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Spanish Research State Agency (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).

Key Responsibilities and Specific Duties

Conduct novel research quantifying future health burdens attributable to urban environmental exposures in Europe, with a specific focus on vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly and low socioeconomic groups.

Develop projections of future health burdens under detailed, policy‑relevant climate‑mitigation scenarios.

Analyse the large dataset of 1,000 cities from the UBD Policy project and model the implications of European climate policy on urban health.

Lead statistical analyses and prepare manuscripts for publication.





Coordinate large health and environmental exposure databases.

Draft original articles for high‑impact journals.

Disseminate findings at conferences, workshops, scientific journals and other channels.

Play an active role in the institutional Climate Action and Health working group.

Skills

Good interpersonal, communication, presentation, and academic writing skills and the ability to work independently.

Training, Experience & Qualifications

PhD (or equivalent) in epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics or a related discipline.

Demonstrated record of scientific achievement in epidemiology or environmental health; experience with health impact assessment is an asset.

Experience with statistical analysis and the management of complex data in R.

Excellent quantitative and programming skills.

Motivated, self‑directed researcher capable of setting and meeting deadlines and delivering research outputs.

Strong organisational and team‑working skills.

Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Proficiency in English (written and spoken).

Language Level Proficiency in English.

Conditions Duration: 1.5 to 2 years.

Start date: as soon as possible.

Contract type: Full time.

Salary: According to experience and profile.

Equal‑Opportunity Statement We welcome diverse candidates according to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities and political views.

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

📌 Postdoctoral researcher in climate change and urban health (Madrid)
🏢 Somma
📍 Madrid