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Post Doctoral Fellow

Position Number: 3874256
Location: Worcester, MA
Position Type: Science - Geology, Earth Sciences & Oceanography

JOB TITLE
Post Doctoral Fellow

LOCATION
Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME
Global School NFR - JM

DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Global School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on the creation of the Caribbean Climate Adaptation Network (CCAN) as part of a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Building on the WPI Global Projects Program's long experience in community-based learning, the goal of CCAN is to foster cross-regional knowledge for more sustainable and equitable climate-action and community empowerment throughout Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

WPI is a diverse campus of learners passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We are looking for candidates who can support our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Project: NOAA CAP-RISA: Caribbean Climate Adaptation Network (CCAN)

Duration of postdoctoral position: 3-4 years beginning August 12th, 2023.

Grant Agency: This five-year, $6 million project is sponsored by the recently-renamed Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with WPI receiving $675,000 in funding. The Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus is the lead institution for CCAN, with other researchers from nine academic institutions across the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Territories of the Virgin Islands (USVI).

CAP's national objectives are closely aligned with those of WPI - specifically, to create networks of people working together to support "collaborative research relationships that help communities build lasting and equitable climate resilience" within diverse social contexts. Ultimately, it is hoped that by strengthening this regional knowledge-action network, communities in the US Caribbean will be better able to implement climate adaptation planning and policies for the management of extreme weather events and help reduce the risk of future disasters.

The successful candidate for this Postdoctoral Research Associate position will have a PhD in a social science field that includes empirical research on climate change, climate adaptation, community participatory research, and ideally experience working in Puerto Rico, the Greater Caribbean, and/or among Caribbean diaspora communities in the USA. We invite applicants whose research bridges science, technology, engineering and social science approaches and methodologies, with experience working in interdisciplinary settings.

The research will involve:

Gathering information about climate adaptation, vulnerability, risk, and resilience (with fieldwork based mainly in Puerto Rico, with possible extension to the US Virgin Islands)
Planning and participating in community-based workshops and scientific network meetings that will facilitate exchange of information and identifying local and regional actions and strategies that support climate adaptation
Conducting surveys, interviews, network analysis and qualitative analysis
Helping the research team map existing organizational networks and their changing relationships over time
Co-designing communication strategies, information sharing and network support activities
Drafting reports, policy briefs and blogposts on the activities and organizations involved in the network, and disseminating these via website and social media
Support with translation and interpretation when meeting with community organizations
Co-authoring research articles with the lead researchers

We especially seek researchers experienced in working directly with marginalized communities or community-based organizations in Puerto Rico, the Hispanic Caribbean or US Caribbean diaspora contexts. Demonstrated excellence in scholarship, as well as fluency in both Spanish and English and a commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, are essential.

There are five WPI researchers involved in the project: Dean of The Global School Mimi Sheller, Professor Sarah Strauss, Associate Professor Seth Tuler, Assistant Professor of Teaching John-Michael Davis, and Professor Emeritus Scott Jiusto, part of the Department of Integrative and Global Studies (DIGS). See https://www.wpi.edu/academics/departments/integrative-global-studies.

There may be occasion to work with WPI undergraduate and Master's students who are working on independent projects at our Puerto Rico Project Center in San Juan. Our junior-year project, the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) is a distinctive, team learning experience that challenges students to address problems at the intersection of science, technology and society. See https://www.wpi.edu/project-based-learning/project-based-education/global-project-program.

Qualifications required:

PhD in Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, or other fields relating to Science, Technology and Society. The PhD must be in hand by June 30th, 2023 and must have been awarded in the last five years.
Native or near-native proficiency in English and Caribbean-region Spanish required; familiarity with other Caribbean Creole languages also desirable.
Experience with qualitative research, semi-structured interviews
5 years of graduate research
Proven writing skills in English
Ability to locate in Puerto Rico for much of the fieldwork

Other desirable skills: experience with community-based research; good organizational skills; interest in podcasts, video-blogging, or other innovative ways of communication.

An annual salary of $60,000 is offered, which includes a benefits package.

For consideration, please submit a letter of application stating your relevant experience and interest in the topic, a C.V. and copy of academic transcript, a dissertation abstract and writing sample such as an article or dissertation chapter, and the names and addresses of at least two referees.

Applications will be reviewed beginning by the end of February 2023 and will be considered until the position is filled. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by early March.

WPI requires that all employees to be fully-vaccinated for COVID-19 and boosted. For additional information, please go to https://www.wpi.edu/we-are-wpi/health-and-safety/vaccine-information

FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.

To apply, visit: https://wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WPI_External_Career_Site/job/Worcester/Post-Doctoral-Fellow_R0002304

About WPI
WPI is a vibrant, active, and diverse community of extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, and state of the art research facilities. At WPI, we have competitive and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, long-term care, retirement, tuition assistance, flexible spending accounts, work-life balance and much more.

Diversity & Inclusion at WPI
WPI is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected; a place where every student, faculty and staff member can be themselves, so that they can study, live, and work comfortably, to reach their full potential, and make meaningful contributions in order to meet departmental and institutional goals. WPI thrives on innovative practice and welcomes diverse perspectives, insight, and people from diverse lived experiences, to enhance the community environment and propel the institution to the next level in a competitive, global marketplace.