Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Risk Perception and Response to Natural Hazards and Climate Change
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR
Apply here
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor
Job 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 survey data or other secondary data, culminating in scholarly research publications as well as practical policy recommendations.
Start date: Summer or fall 2024 (flexible)
Term: This position will be a one (1) year, full-time, term-limited appointment with the possibility of renewal
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (flexible)
The post-doc 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.
Job 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
Unit Summary:
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
How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following in a single PDF file to apfisch@umich.edu 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 (to be contacted after an initial interview)
Applications will be considered beginning May 1, 2024, until the position is filled.
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.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Additional Information
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
Apply here.
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 reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.