Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Coastal Mangrove

Job Category
Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Coastal Mangrove

Department
Research | Sunderland Lab | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences | Faculty of Forestry (Terence Sunderland)

Posting End Date
June 1, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date
May 30, 2026

Annual salary: $55,000-70,000 including benefits.

Co-developing Decision Support System for Coastal Mangrove-based Socio-ecological

Systems in Eastern and Western Africa (CoastMan)

Posting End Date

May 31st, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Annual salary: $55,000-70,000 including benefits.

Job description

Coastal Mangroves in Eastern and Western Africa offer coastal communities much-needed ecosystem services and protection against key climate change risks, including risks to low-lying coastal-ecological systems, risks to terrestrial and ocean ecosystems, and as a result, risks to food security. Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts because of (1) their location being highly exposed to sea level rise and erosion, (2) poor socio-economic conditions, and (3) their high dependence on mangrove ecosystems. Coastal Mangroves however are highly threatened both by anthropogenic and climate change pressures. The main objective of the project (CoastMan) is co-production and uptake of a Multi-Criteria Decision Support System (DSS) that provides vulnerable communities and decision-makers a knowledge-based decision-making capacity for the restoration and conservation of socio-ecological systems. An interdisciplinary and trans sectoral team is established from researchers and stakeholders from across three continents (North America, Europe, and Africa), in partnership with vulnerable groups to co-develop and uptake a DSS to promote mitigation and strategies that enhance the adaptive capacities of the mangrove socio-ecological systems in Eastern and Western Africa.

Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from extensive field research in coastal Tanzania and Ghana, extensive literature, and remote sensing, the project will 1) co-develop dynamic maps of drivers and risks of mangrove habitat loss, 2) support locally-led social-ecological and climate resilience through coordinated management of mangrove resources, 3) co-develop sustainable livelihood strategies for coastal communities, 4) co-design a novel multicriteria framework for mangrove restoration and conservation, and 5) co-develop a novel DSS for mangrove socio-ecological systems.

We have devised a co-production and dissemination strategy so that project outputs will assist in identifying mitigation strategies and enhancing adaptive capacities of the frontline coastal communities, including building their capacity needs in designing climate actions such as restoration and conservation of mangrove ecosystems. Furthermore, the project will lead to improved knowledge and capacity of partner institutions through supporting early career researchers and promoting strengthened collaboration between partners and vulnerable coastal mangrove-dependent communities.

There will be two post-doctoral researchers based at UBC for the duration of the project, one in the Institute of Oceans and Fisheries and the other in the Faculty of Forestry. This job advertisement is for the latter position. Together, the post-docs will contribute to the research outputs and coordination of the project in close coordination with the project PI and international partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• A PhD degree in ecology, environmental and/or social sciences, or related field.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative skills including socio-ecological research design, data analysis, statistical analysis and data management.
• An interest in interdisciplinary research spanning the fields of ecology, social sciences, environmental policy, and environmental governance.
• The ability to contribute to co-supervision of master’s students based at partner institutions in Ghana and Tanzania, and to provide mentorship to other early career researchers on the project team.
• Experience in writing and publishing peer-reviewed articles.
• Fluency in verbal and written English accompanied by excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate multi-partner collaborative research projects and be comfortable with the concomitant travel this will entail.
• Interest in working in an interdisciplinary, multicultural, and collaborative environment as a part of a diverse team.

Preferred skills

• Experience in conducting collaborative science as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Proven record of project coordination.
• Track record of undertaking fieldwork in close concert with partner institutions and early-career professionals.
• Knowledge of Multi-Criteria Decision Support Systems (DSS) would be welcome, but not essential.
• Experience conducting socio-ecological data synthesis.
• Experience of environmental policy engagement and international policy processes would be advantageous.

Offer

You will be offered a full-time two-year position with the potential to extend to a third year. The annual salary will be commensurate with the annual value of a SSHRC Postdoctoral Scholarship, adjusted for inflation annually. UBC offers postdocs a wide-ranging benefits plan that includes extended health and dental coverage. Postdocs are encouraged to apply for external funding to support their independent research building on this position within the research group.  

About the Organization

This position will be based at the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, which is located on the territory of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) People. The University of British Columbia is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Faculty of Forestry is recognized globally as one of the leading forestry faculties in the world. As the largest Faculty of Forestry in Canada, we welcome almost 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students from over 40 countries every year to study forestry at UBC.

We strive to create a respectful, positive, and safe working environment for people of all backgrounds. We believe that inclusiveness and diversity are essential to academic excellence. We encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. In addition, in keeping with our EDI principles of co-production with vulnerable communities and capacity building for uptake, CoastMan will train and develop research the capacity for postdocs and co-develop knowledge with under-represented groups such as local mangrove-adjacent communities. This approach not only aligns with our goals but also actively encourages qualified candidates from Ghana and Tanzania, as well as elsewhere in Africa to apply.      

Additional Information

For further information about this position, please contact Prof. Terry Sunderland ([email protected] )

The application deadline is 31st May 2024 or until the position is filled