Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following in a single PDF file to [email protected] with "Risk Perception and Response Postdoc Application" in the subject line:

• Cover letter describing your relevant experience and scholarly interests
• Curriculum vitae
• Relevant publications
• References (Contacted after an initial interview)

Summary

University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to investigate risk perception and behavioral response to climate change and natural hazards, specifically wildfire risk. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary working group of faculty, students, and postdocs studying human and ecosystem adaptation to wildfire risk using an integrated social-environmental system framework. The fellow will undertake a research project entailing quantitative analysis of existing survey data or other secondary data, culminating in scholarly research publications as well as practical policy recommendations.
The postdoc will report to and work under the mentorship of Dr. Paige Fischer (School for Environment and Sustainability) and a team of other faculty members engaged with the research.

Expected Start date: Flexible
Note: This position will be a one-year full-time term limited appointment with the possibility of renewal.

Mission Statement

The School for Environment and Sustainability (https://seas.umich.edu/) is a collaborative and interdisciplinary school. Our mission includes contributing to the protection of environmental resources and the achievement of a sustainable society. We accomplish this by generating and sharing knowledge, contributing to policy and engaging managers and stakeholders. The University of Michigan is a top-ranked public university with excellence in research and teaching.  Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, is a town known for arts, culture, parks and restaurants.
SEAS is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable environment that respects diverse experiences, promotes generous listening and communications, and discourages and restoratively responds to acts of discrimination, harassment, or injustice. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is deeply rooted in our values for a sustainable and just society.

Who We Are

The Western Forest and Fire Initiative (WFFI) at the University of Michigan
The WFFI is made possible with support from Kathy and Steve Berman. The overarching goal of the WFFI is to understand how human and ecological communities can adapt to increasing wildfire risk. The WFFI aims to serve as a research hub and a bridging organization, working with practitioners and other researchers in the US West to identify research questions and undertake intensive problem analyses to answer those questions.

For more information, visit
https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/wffi
https://seas.umich.edu/research/faculty/alexandra-paige-fischer

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Responsibilities*

• Design and implement a one-year study on a topic relating to wildfire risk perception and response using existing survey data and/or, if desired, secondary data
• Write and submit a manuscript to a scholarly journal
• Make a paper presentation at a professional meeting
• Interact with faculty, PhD students, other postdoctoral fellows, and practitioners to design and interpret findings

Required Qualifications*

• Ph.D. in psychology, sociology, human geography, public policy & planning, or another related field
• Formal training and research experience with topics such as: risk perception, protective action or risk mitigation behavior, natural hazards, or climate change adaptation.
• Formal training with quantitative social science research methods such as: quantitative survey design and administration and data analysis; secondary data analysis; and spatial data analysis

Additional Information

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (flexible)

This position may be eligible for remote or flexible work opportunities at the discretion of the hiring department. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications will be considered beginning May 15, 2024, until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.