CIGIDEN R+ – Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Disaster Risk, Resilience and Recovery (ANID National Center of Interest)
The Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Disaster Risk, Resilience and Recovery CIGIDEN R+ (www.cigiden.cl) is a multidisciplinary research center of excellence funded by the Chilean Agency for Research and Development, ANID. Its mission is to reduce disaster risk, promote resilience, and strengthen recovery processes in social and built environments exposed to multiple hazards, by integrating cutting-edge research with public policy and territorial action.
CIGIDEN R+ brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines—including Sociology, Urban Planning, Geography, Psychology, Engineering, and Geosciences—and is supported by a consortium of six Chilean universities: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (www.uc.cl), Universidad Católica del Norte (www.ucn.cl), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (www.usm.cl), Universidad Andrés Bello (www.unab.cl), Universidad de Valparaíso (www.uv.cl), and Universidad de Concepción (www.udec.cl). The Center’s research team is primarily based in Santiago, Valparaíso, Antofagasta, and Concepción.
In a context characterized by earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as the increasing occurrence of climate-related disasters such as floods and wildfires, CIGIDEN R+ seeks to transform scientific knowledge into applied solutions that support improved decision-making and more integrated disaster risk management. Research is organized around five interconnected lines: Hazards, Infrastructure, Territories, Society, and Challenges, addressing topics ranging from multi-hazard risk assessment to governance and community participation.
The Postdoctoral Position
CIGIDEN R+ invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Position within our Territories (T) Research Line. Specifically, this research line is focused on the dynamic relationships between the built environment and disaster risk to enhance territorial resilience by integrating DRM into urban development, planning, design, and architectural frameworks.
We encourage candidates from different disciplines and with different expertise to apply.
The successful applicant is expected to complement the work developed by our researchers in one or more of the following topics:
- Integrated multi-risk assessment (urban form, exposure & vulnerability):
- Integration of hazard assessment with new methodologies to model and understand exposure and vulnerability, producing robust indicators of disaster risk in critical built environments.
- Analysis and definition of exposure and vulnerability levels to support effective ranking and prioritization of risk, emphasizing sensitivity, robustness and uncertainty visualization.
- Assessment of risk-based approaches in Chilean post-disaster reconstruction
- Evaluation of recent housing, planning and reconstruction efforts in disaster-affected Chilean cities, the incorporation of risk-based approaches—and whether they mitigated or exacerbated pre-disaster conditions.
- Housing, design & planning solutions to integrate DRM and resilience
- Advance toward proposing and scientifically validating housing, design and planning solutions that integrate disaster risk management (DRM) and foster built-environment resilience.
Candidates will be encouraged to participate in the different outreach activities and programs of CIGIDEN R+ with the objective of transferring the scientific knowledge to different communities in the country, such as professionals and practitioners, and school students.
Requirements
• A PhD degree obtained within the last 3 years at the time of appointment in a research area related to the description of topics presented above.
• A demonstrated research trajectory, evidenced by scientific publications and/or presentations at academic or professional events.
• Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Autonomy, proactivity, and results-oriented work style.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Programming skills or experience with geographic information systems will also be valued in the evaluation of applicants.
• Experience in teaching, supervising undergraduate and graduate students, engaging in outreach and transfer activities, participation in research projects, and other professional and research working experience are a plus.
Position conditions
• Application deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
• Expected start date: April 2026
• Appointment: full time and a maximum of 3 years, pending an internal yearly evaluation.
• Location: San Joaquín Campus, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
• Salary: gross monthly salary of $2.222.000 Chilean pesos.
Applications
To apply, please submit the following documentation:
• Letter of intent/motivation
• One page research proposal
• Extended CV with publications
• Digital archive of most relevant published WoS papers
• Two letters of recommendation.
The email message header should be titled Postdoctoral Research Position Territories – CIGIDEN R+ and directed to Professors Jorge León (jorge.leon@usm.cl) and Magdalena Vicuña (mvicunad@uc.cl).
First selection of candidates will be conducted on the basis of the submitted application files. Candidates may also be invited for interview (via Zoom or if necessary).
For further information please contact Professor Magdalena Vicuña (mvicunad@uc.cl).