IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026 – €67,000 Salary

The IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026 offers an opportunity to conduct high-impact research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, economics, sustainability and public policy. Based at IT:U in Linz, Austria, this full-time postdoctoral position is designed for quantitative researchers who want to develop evidence that can improve climate and conservation policy.

The successful candidate will join the AI & Sustainability Policy Lab, contribute to interdisciplinary research and teaching, and collaborate with economists, data scientists and policy stakeholders. The appointment is advertised for up to four years, with an expected start date of 1 October 2026 and competitive compensation starting from €67,000 gross per year.

Important: The official vacancy is currently available, but the employer has not published a closing date on the job page. Applicants should verify availability and apply as early as possible through the official portal.

IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026: Key Details

Detail	Information
Institution	IT:U – Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria
Research unit	AI & Sustainability Policy Lab
Position	Postdoc in Data-Driven Sustainability Policy and Economics
Location	Linz, Austria
Work arrangement	Full-time; position advertised as on-site, with flexible working and a home-office option among the benefits
Contract duration	Up to four years
Expected start date	1 October 2026
Salary	Starting from €67,000 gross per year
Application deadline	Not stated; verify on the official vacancy page
Application method	Online application portal

Why Choose the IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026?

IT:U is a new technical university in Linz focused on digital transformation, interdisciplinary research and project-based learning. Its approach is designed to bring different disciplines together and develop practical, solution-oriented responses to complex societal challenges.

Within this environment, the AI & Sustainability Policy Lab applies quantitative research to understand, evaluate and scale effective climate and conservation policies. The lab combines methods from economics, data science and computational social science to support evidence-based sustainability transitions.

The IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026 is therefore suited to researchers who want their work to connect rigorous academic methods with real policy questions. The successful candidate will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and contribute to research that can inform environmental decision-making.

Research Areas for the IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026

The postdoctoral researcher may work across several connected areas:

• Generating credible causal evidence on the environmental, social and economic effects of climate and conservation policies.
• Using machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve policy targeting, forecasting and prediction.
• Estimating heterogeneous treatment effects to understand which policies work, for whom and under what conditions.
• Combining experiments, econometric analysis and AI to translate research findings into evidence-based policymaking.
• Studying human behaviour, public acceptance, collective action and decision-making during sustainability transitions.
• Working with experimental and observational data to evaluate climate, biodiversity and environmental governance interventions.

This combination makes the role especially relevant to researchers interested in causal inference, behavioural economics, policy evaluation and responsible applications of AI.

IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026 Responsibilities

The selected candidate will be expected to:

• Conduct high-quality independent and collaborative research.
• Participate in academic teaching activities.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact international journals.
• Present findings at national and international conferences.
• Work with interdisciplinary research teams and external partners.
• Help prepare and submit proposals for third-party research funding.
• Contribute to the intellectual development of the AI & Sustainability Policy Lab.

Applicants should be comfortable balancing independent research with collaborative projects, teaching responsibilities and academic service.

Eligibility for the IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026

To be considered for this position, applicants should hold a completed PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline. Suitable fields include:

• Economics
• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Environmental Sciences
• Political Science
• Public Policy
• A related discipline with a strong quantitative focus

Candidates should also demonstrate a publication record appropriate to their career stage or clear potential to publish in leading international journals.

Preferred Research Skills

Strong expertise in at least one of the following areas is expected:

• Experimental or behavioural research methods
• Causal inference and econometrics
• Programme and policy evaluation
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence
• Computational social science or related quantitative methods

Research experience in sustainability, climate policy, environmental policy, biodiversity conservation, environmental governance or a closely related policy area is highly relevant. Applicants must also be able to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams and should have excellent written and spoken English.

IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026 Salary and Benefits

The IT:U vacancy advertises competitive compensation starting from €67,000 gross per year. The institution also highlights:

• High-impact research addressing climate and biodiversity challenges.
• Collaboration with international researchers in sustainability, economics and public policy.
• Mentoring and support to develop an independent research profile.
• International mobility, conference participation and academic exchange opportunities.
• Flexible working hours through a flextime model.
• The option for home office.
• Free parking or a Climate Ticket for Upper Austria.
• An interdisciplinary and international working environment.
• An office kitchen with complimentary basic supplies.

Applicants should consult the official vacancy and employment documents for the final contractual terms.

Documents Required for the Application

The online application should include:

1. A tailored cover letter explaining your fit with the lab’s research agenda.
2. A current academic CV.
3. A PhD certificate or confirmation of the expected completion date.
4. One representative publication or working paper.
5. Contact details for two references.

A strong application should clearly connect the applicant’s quantitative methods, publication experience and sustainability-policy interests to the work of the AI & Sustainability Policy Lab.

How to Strengthen Your Application

Before submitting an application for the IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026, candidates may benefit from:

• Highlighting a research paper that demonstrates causal inference, econometrics, experiments or machine-learning expertise.
• Explaining how their work contributes to climate, conservation or sustainability policy.
• Describing experience collaborating across disciplines or with policy stakeholders.
• Presenting a clear future research agenda that complements the lab’s interests.
• Demonstrating strong academic writing, reproducible quantitative analysis and the ability to publish research findings.

Because no application deadline is displayed on the official vacancy page, early submission is advisable.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official IT:U online portal. Candidates should prepare all required documents before beginning the application.

Apply through the official IT:U application portal

For complete and current information, consult the official IT:U vacancy page.

The official listing names Dr. David Bancelin, Expert in Scientific Talent & Administration, as the contact person and provides the email address application.postdoc@it-u.at for position-related enquiries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the position based?

The position is based in Linz, Austria. The vacancy describes it as on-site and also lists flexible working and a home-office option among the benefits.

What is the advertised salary?

Compensation starts from €67,000 gross per year, according to the official job listing.

How long is the appointment?

The position is advertised for up to four years.

Is a PhD required?

Yes. Applicants should have completed a PhD or equivalent in a relevant quantitative discipline. Confirmation of an expected completion date may be submitted with the application documentation.

What is the application deadline?

The official job page does not state a closing date. Candidates should confirm that the vacancy remains open and apply promptly.

Explore more international research jobs and postdoctoral opportunities on Opportunities For Everyone.

Final Note

The IT:U Data-Driven Sustainability Postdoc 2026 combines quantitative research, policy relevance and interdisciplinary collaboration. Researchers with strengths in economics, causal inference, experiments, AI or computational methods—and a serious interest in climate and biodiversity policy—may find this a strong opportunity to build an independent academic profile in Austria.