Associate Research Officer

OVERVIEW
Position Number: 1 ITSC PA130TP Grade: P-1
Parent Sector: Sciences Sector (SCS) Duty Station: Trieste
Job Family: Natural Sciences Contract Type: Project Appointment Duration of contract: 1 year
Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates
Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 14/10/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam and located in Trieste (Italy), the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) seeks to accomplish its mandate by providing scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills that they need to enjoy long and productive careers.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the direct supervision of the Research Scientist (Head of the STI Unit), the incumbent will support project activities related to two extra-budgetary projects: the UNEP-ICTP project "TRACT", funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF),



and - for 20% of his/her time - the UNESCO project "FRIEND-NILE", funded by the Flemish UNESCO Science Trust Fund (FUST).
Both projects aim to strengthen environmental and water-resources monitoring through low-cost weather stations and IoT/wireless technologies, with a strong focus on capacity building of local technical and scientific staff.
KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Contribute to TRACT (Maldives). Support project Output 2 (Strengthened observations, monitoring, modelling and impact-based forecasting) and Sub-activity 2.1.4 (IoT and wireless technologies) of the GCF-funded UNEP-ICTP project "TRACT - Toward Risk-Aware and Climate-resilient communities", deploying low-cost weather stations, terrestrial gateways and water-level sensors - including their photovoltaic powering, masts and civil works - across the Maldives.
Contribute to FRIEND-NILE (Nile Basin, 20% of time). Support project Output 1 (in particular 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4) of the FUS