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Postdoctoral Fellowship opportunities
Call for Postdoctoral Research Associate Quantitative Coupled Human-Ecological Dynamics under Climate Change
Application Deadline: August 1, 2024
We seek a research scientist to work on a collaborative project designed to understand coupled and complex system dynamics across scales in a manner that allows us to examine (i) consequences of climate change mitigation and/or adaptation strategies from holistic and coupled human and ecological dimensions or (ii) the dynamics and mechanisms of social change in the face of climate change. The postdoctoral researcher will be based at the University of Michigan (or jointly at U Michigan and the University of Minnesota) and collaborate with Drs. Peter Reich (U. Michigan/U. Minnesota), Kathryn Grace (U. Minnesota) and Arun Agrawal (U. Michigan), who will serve as co-mentors. The postdoctoral researcher will work with the research team to develop and define the specifics of the research agenda and plan. The specific systems, geographic domains, and questions are open-ended, however we expect the postdoc to engage with the IPUMS center at the U. Minnesota, a world-leading census and survey data center. The human dimensions under study could include critical human outcomes such as household economic well-being, health, or social justice and equity, and the ecological dimensions could include ecosystem sustainability, health, function, or services. We will explore these issues both using standard data sets the research team already has access to, plus novel data to be acquired to create a complex multidimensional data set where we can explore human/environment interactions in a context of climate change. The researcher will use spatial quantitative tools to link these data over time and space to land use, climate, political change and more. Water issues, gender, land degradation, social hierarchies, etc. could all be explored within a country or within a continent or even globally.
Candidates from a range of disciplines (such as sustainability science, geography, social science, statistics, ecology, climate science, health science, food systems, or others) are encouraged to apply, given that they possess strong interest in cross-disciplinary issues and research. Excellent statistical analysis and writing skills are required. The initial appointment period will be for one year with the expectation of renewal pending satisfactory performance. A start date in late 2024 or early 2025 is preferred, but an earlier start date is feasible.
Applicants should submit applications via this form (a cover letter describing research experience and goals, a curriculum vitae, reprints, and the names and contact information of three references). The cover letter should include a paragraph providing one idea you have for analyzing the relationships or outcomes associated with social and ecological processes and systems. Queries should be directed to the Institute for Global Change Biology (IGCB) Program Manager, Dr. Sarah Raubenheimer ([email protected], IGCB, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor).
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Training Opportunities
These training opportunities are open to IGCB postdoc and graduate students, as well as other global change researchers who would like to make use of them.
Postdoc Plus Community
The IGCB postdoc group has weekly sessions with the wider IGCB community, where postdocs (and sometimes grad students) can present their work, get feedback on research and/or manuscripts, or even just get advice on something they are working on.
Lunch-and-learn
The IGCB hosts regular lunch-and-learn sessions where we invite a speaker to discuss various topics with us over lunch.
Stats and coding help
The IGCB's Thiago Gonçalves-Souza organises a range of stats and programming related courses/sessions that all are welcome to join.