Page - 27 - in options, Volume summer 2020

CHRISTIANE POHN-HUFNAGL APPOINTED CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Responsible for the overall coordination of IIASA services, including finance, human resources, infrastructure, and information technology, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) will ensure that researchers are supported by an environment that facilitates the delivery of world-class research. Pohn-Hufnagl was previously the Chief of Staff and Head of General Services at the International Anti- Corruption Academy (IACA) in Laxenburg, Austria. She has a master’s degree in Law from the University of Graz, a master’s degree in Political Sciences from the University of Vienna, and a diploma in Controlling. “I am very much looking forward to taking up this position in such stimulating surroundings and to supporting the researchers, the staff, and the institute in their important work,” says Pohn-Hufnagl on her new appointment. FABIAN WAGNER TO LEAD CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES One of the institute’s cornerstones is its capacity- building program. The flagship Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) and postdoc opportunities in particular, showcase outstanding research by the next generation of scientists from all over the world. The Capacity Development and Academic Training Dean is responsible for coordinating and expanding the overall capacity development strategy of the institute. Wagner has been at IIASA since 2004, and is a researcher in the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Program, a role that he will continue in addition to the new appointment. “IIASA is the world-leading one-stop destination for systems analysis, and part of its mission is to give others access to our methods, and to train the next generation of system thinkers,” said Wagner. “I see huge potential for enhancing the institute’s capacity development activities.” IIASA announces new appointments Recent structural changes at the institute will bring fresh perspectives and continue to ensure that IIASA research stays at the forefront of scientific endeavor. The changes reflect the institute’s focus on strengthening operational effectiveness and its vital role in capacity building. NEW DIRECTORS AND DEPUTIES ACROSS VARIOUS PROGRAMS There have been several internal changes, which bring new career opportunities to younger researchers at IIASA. JoAnne Linnerooth-Bayer stepped down from her role as Risk and Resilience (RISK) Acting Program Director. Her successor, Reinhard Mechler was appointed Acting Program Director, together with Thomas Schinko as Deputy Program Director. In addition, John Handmer from the University of Melbourne joined the RISK team as a Scientific Advisor. Nebojsa Nakicenovic, previously Transition to new Technologies (TNT) Program Director, and his colleague Arnulf Gruebler have become the first IIASA Emeritus Scholars and will continue to support the TNT Program. Shonali Pachauri has been appointed Acting Program Director. Raya Muttarak is the new World Population Deputy Program Director (POP), replacing Sergey Scherbov who will remain with POP as Senior Researcher and Re-aging Project Leader. Petr Havlik was appointed Ecosystems Services and Management Acting Program Director, taking over from Steffen Fritz with whom he shares this temporary appointment. All acting appointments are interim arrangements until the end of December 2020 after which the new IIASA strategy – and with this an updated organizational structure and new leadership – will be in place to move IIASA forward. IIASA cornerINSTITUTE NEWS 27Optionswww.iiasa.ac.at Summer 2020