Resources for the Future (RFF) currently has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher in its Land, Water, and Nature Program. Pending final approval of funds, we seek a postdoctoral ecologist (or from a related discipline) to contribute to a new initiative focused on innovative approaches to the quantitative modeling and empirical analysis of coupled ecological and economic systems. The premise of the initiative is that better integration, and reconciliation, of economic and ecological models is central to the identification of environmental challenges, prediction of social and ecological outcomes, and articulation of effective natural resource management and policy solutions. The position is a unique opportunity for a postdoctoral fellow to advance the frontiers of socio-environmental analysis, work closely with RFF fellows and senior fellows, and engage with a much larger, and methodologically diverse, community of outside researchers who will also be part of the work. The initiative is being supported by the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC.org) and will involve collaboration with SESYNC’s community of scholars. RFF is particularly interested in candidates able to model spatial and temporal relationships between social and biophysical systems and who work on the ecological aspects of one or more natural resource issues (e.g., aquatic system restoration, private land stewardship, species management, fisheries policy). The portfolio of work can adapt to the successful candidate’s interests and skills but could involve cross-system network analysis, hydro- economic modeling, or behavioral bio-economic and or agent-based modeling.
RFF is committed to scholarly excellence and offers an outstanding environment for academic publication and high-level communication of research to academic and policy audiences. A parallel, postdoctoral hire from economics will also be made. The two post docs will collaborate closely under this initiative and join a larger cohort of post docs in residence at RFF. All candidates should have (i) a PhD completed prior to beginning the postdoc, (ii) excellent written communication skills, (iii) facility in assembling, manipulating, and analyzing datasets, (iv) the ability and desire to collaborate with a team of RFF Research Fellows and Research Assistants, and (v) experience with and enthusiasm for multi-disciplinary research and engagement. We particularly seek applicants with skill in quantitative modeling of, for example, species populations, land cover change, bio-economic relationships, or eco-hydrological systems. Annual salary is $80,000. The position is for a one-year appointment with the expectation of renewal for a second year upon satisfactory performance. The start date is negotiable but can be no later than September 2018. The position provides some support for independent research, including publishing papers from a completed dissertation. RFF offers a competitive salary and employee benefits. Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. Application materials must be submitted in PDF format and include a cover letter, CV, transcript, one or more sample academic publications or a job market paper and three letters of reference. Submission of other research papers is optional. All applicants must apply online at http://www.rff.org/about/careers. All additional materials (e.g., papers, reference letters, optional research products, etc.) should be uploaded using the online Resume, Cover Letter, and Job Market Paper options. If you have difficulties uploading your additional materials, please email them directly to post- [email protected], with candidate name in the email subject line. Should you experience any difficulty in applying online, please email post- [email protected]. If you have trouble with the online application system, please try using a different browser. RFF is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
