Position Description
The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC), a member organization of EarthLab, at the University of Washington (UW) invites applications for a NW CASC Actionable Science Postdoctoral Scholar. This is a full-time (100% FTE), 12-month term appointment [with a potential for extension up to three years based on performance and continued funding]. The NW CASC is one of nine regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers dedicated to delivering science that helps wildlife, water, land, and people adapt to a changing climate. Established by the Department of the Interior (DOI) in 2010 and administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), this federal-university partnership is hosted by the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group as part of a multi-university consortium, including Boise State University, Oregon State University, University of Montana, Washington State University, and Western Washington University. Key stakeholders of the NW CASC are the Department of Interior bureaus (especially USGS, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation), Northwest tribes and Northwest State fish and wildlife and natural lands agencies.
EarthLab is a visionary institute that pushes boundaries to address our most pressing environmental challenges, with a current focus on climate and its intersection with social justice. EarthLab does this by connecting the UW to communities, businesses, non-profits, public agencies, Tribal nations and others to co-produce actionable research that generates solutions and strategies for local and global impact. EarthLab's vision, an equitable, just and sustainable world where people and planet thrive, supports one of the University's biggest goals. As a Carnegie-classified Community Engagement University, the UW aspires to be the #1 university in the world as measured by impact. EarthLab is inspired by and committed to this challenge.
Position Details:
Working closely with the Director and Deputy Director of the NW CASC at the University of Washington, the Actionable Science Postdoctoral Scholar will play a leading role in the NW CASC's efforts to foster co-production of decision-relevant science across the Northwest. Specifically, the NW CASC Actionable Science Postdoctoral Scholar will advance transdisciplinary research that addresses complex socio-ecological problems by: 1) facilitating training in actionable science, science co-production, and communication for NW CASC fellows (i.e., graduate student and postdoctoral researchers funded by the NW CASC) at all consortium universities; leading an annual graduate seminar on the theory and practice of actionable science; and promoting synergistic opportunities among fellows' projects and other regional research and management activities; 2) supporting NW CASC regional science dialogue and information-sharing activities, such as actionable science webinars and the annual Science/Practice Deep-Dive Workshop (including designing an agenda that supports engagement of diverse participants and assisting in development of workshop products, e.g., white papers, research agendas); and 3) evaluating the efficacy of these activities in advancing actionable climate science and regional communities of practice. Evaluation insights will be used to adjust NW CASC co-production activities over time, and to develop peer-reviewed publications.
About UW:
The University of Washington is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math (see http://advance.washington.edu/).
Diversity Equity and Inclusion:
EarthLab and the NW CASC acknowledge the systemic racism that exists in the environmental sector and within environmentalism. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by bringing a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. We are seeking candidates who are committed to creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive work environment where all voices are considered and valued.
Qualifications
The position requires a Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in an area of natural or social science related to climate change (e.g., earth science, atmospheric science, biology, forestry, hydrology, human geography, anthropology, political science), with demonstrated experience conducting research, assessment, evaluation and stakeholder engagement related to climate change impacts and/or adaptation. The position requires demonstrated experience in the co-creation of knowledge, co-definition of research problems, and successfully linking science and decision-making. In addition, the position requires demonstrated success in teaching and mentoring, engagement with diverse Department of Interior stakeholders, a commitment to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion within the Fellows' program and superior writing and oral communication skills.
Salary will be dependent on qualifications and experience. Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
Job Duties:
- Play a leading role in implementing and assessing the NW CASC's Fellows' program, including planning and facilitating regular cohort meetings (e.g., monthly fellows' research webinar, graduate seminar) and in-person NW CASC meetings, developing and delivering training modules and promoting synergistic opportunities among consortium science projects and other regional research and management activities.
- Support planning and implementation of the annual Science/Practice Deep-Dive Workshop, a multi-day workshop exploring the state of the science and the state of the practice in order to develop an actionable science agenda for a priority regional climate adaptation issue (e.g., designing and implementing an agenda that supports participant engagement and assisting in development of workshop products).
- Contribute to other NW CASC regional science dialogue and information-sharing activities, such as actionable science webinars.
- In conjunction with NW CASC principal investigators, evaluate the effectiveness of the NW CASC's efforts to build actionable science capacity and regional communities of practice.
- Contribute to reports and author peer-reviewed publications based on the work done in this position.
- Other duties as assigned.
Instructions
All applications should be submitted through Interfolio. Application packages should include the following:
- Cover letter (3-page max) outlining interest in the position and how it aligns with career goals; interest and/or experience in the co-production of actionable science, teaching and evaluation experience.
- CV
- Two relevant publications
- List of three references, including contact information
This position will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied, at which point we will invite finalists to interview for the position. The position will be filled as soon as possible. Applications received by November 10, 2021 will be prioritized.
Applicants with inquiries regarding this position should contact: Dr. Meade Krosby (mkrosby@uw.edu).
Applicants requiring disability accommodations during the application process should contact Mary Dwyer (mrdwyer@uw.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information,
gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
