Two Postdoctoral Fellows: Coupled Natural-Human Systems Modeling and Climate/Environmental System Modeling
The University of Maine is launching an international search for two Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Fellows: one in the area of Coupled Natural-Human Systems Modeling and one in Climate/Environmental System Modeling. The successful candidates will join a new Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) funded by a 5-year, $20 million NSF EPSCoR grant. SSI includes a team of 30+ faculty from a range of disciplines and multiple academic institutions statewide. SSI’s transformative research program integrates coupled natural and human systems modeling, stakeholder engagement, and solutions-oriented research activities. Organized under a theme of landscape change, SSI supports multiple research projects focused on urbanization, forest ecosystem management, and climate change.
Currently, more than 10 different SSI-funded research projects are exploring various sustainability science challenges, presenting a unique opportunity to advance this emerging field. A major thrust of SSI is to produce a new generation of scientists who are equipped to work across disciplinary boundaries and adept at collaborative, problem-solving work that spans research and practice. The successful candidate will join an outstanding cohort of incoming researchers, including 4 new faculty, 3 other postdoctoral fellows, and 20+ doctoral students. SSI is recruiting for this Postdoctoral Fellow position with tentative start dates beginning as early as July-August, 2010. The initial appointment will be for a one-year duration with an opportunity for fixed-length renewal.
Position #1: Coupled Natural-Human Systems Modeling
Responsibilities: The postdoctoral fellow will become an active member of the SSI research team with a major role in research design; data collection, analysis, and, especially, modeling; and publishing. By participating in ongoing team projects and SSI-wide research activities, this Fellow will be expected to develop an active modeling research program that serves an integrative role, advances science, and strengthens collaborations among SSI faculty. Core research responsibilities will include planning and completion of modeling research projects, preparation of manuscripts for publication in collaboration with SSI researchers, presentation of research findings at public and professional meetings, and working with SSI researcher to pursue additional research funding. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of SSI curricula and mentoring programs for graduate and undergraduate students.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. with specialization in modeling or computer science is required by the time of appointment. The following experience and skills will be given preference: coupled natural-human systems research experience; expertise in modeling approaches appropriate to coupled systems (e.g., artificial intelligence, systems, agent-based, spatial); data management and programming expertise; and experience developing models of land use change, climate change or forest ecosystems.
Position #2: Climate/Environmental System Modeling
Responsibilities: We seek a postdoctoral fellow with core competencies in the following areas: linking terrestrial environmental process models (for example, surface hydrologic processes, water quality, groundwater flow, regional climate), sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, downscaling climate projections to local and regional scales, risk analyses to support planning and multi-criteria decision-making. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to participate in ongoing team projects and SSI-wide research activities, such as statewide sustainability problem assessments within the areas of urbanization, forest ecosystem management, climate change, and stakeholder engagement. Core research responsibilities will include planning and completion of research projects, preparation of manuscripts for publication in collaboration with SSI researchers, and presentation of research findings at public and professional meetings, and working with SSI researchers to pursue additional research funding. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of SSI curricula and mentoring programs for graduate and undergraduate students.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. with specialization in earth science, environmental sciences, civil and environmental engineering, systems engineering or a closely related technical or scientific discipline is required by the time of appointment. Experience working on interdisciplinary research teams is preferred.
Applications for both positions: Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to support their research programs, produce high-quality scholarship and publications, and advance the SSI research program. Applications must include all of the following materials for consideration:
(1) A letter of interest (2-3 pages) that summarizes the candidate’s: research program, qualifications for the position, interests in sustainability science, and plans for addressing the Fellowship responsibilities. When describing your qualifications, please provide a summary of your modeling skills and your long term scientific interests, including discussion of modeling, data management and programming expertise;
(2) curriculum vitae;
(3) undergraduate and graduate transcripts;
(4) a sample of research (e.g., peer-reviewed publication); and
(5) names and contact information of three professional references.
Please send materials in PDF form to [ mailto:[email protected] ][email protected] or in hard copy form to:
Ruth Hallsworth
Senator George J. Mitchell Center
5710 Norman Smith Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5710
Review of applications will begin May 15, 2010.
The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to maintaining an intellectually and culturally diverse faculty and staff.
Details about the SSI research project and program can be found at:
http://www.umaine.edu/sustainabilitysolutions/