Postdoc Position:

 Environmental Governance, Livelihood Impacts of Land Use Change in Latin America

SUNY ESF, Department of Environmental Studies, Syracuse, NY

A two-year postdoc position is available  February 2015 in the areas of environmental governance and social and livelihood dimensions of land use change in Latin America, as part of two funded NSF projects.  These interdisciplinary projects are focused on: 1) socio-ecological impacts from bioenergy development across the Americas; and 2) coupled socio-ecohydrological systems in Mexico. The postdoc will be responsible for project management, data collection and data analysis in both projects.  He/she will be expected to conduct field research in Brazil and Argentina for the bioenergy project, and in Southern Mexico’s cloud forest for the project focused on payments for hydrologic services. For both projects, the postdoc will participate in qualitative interview collection and analysis, and quantitative household survey collection and analysis. The postdoc will be expected to conduct independent field research, collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, and publish high quality papers from the project. Travel funds are available.

Desired attributes include a passion for social science research, excitement about international field research, a strong interest in interdisciplinary science teamwork, background in social or environmental science, and Spanish and/or Portuguese language skills. PhD in Environmental Policy, Geography, Sociology, Environmental Studies, or similar fields is preferred. Desired skills are qualitative research methods (interviewing, ethnographic and document analysis) and survey research skills. Statistical and GIS skills are also desired.   Background and interest in social and political dimensions of land use change, biomass energy development, public participation in environmental decision making, political ecology, or social sciences related to agriculture or natural resources, would be valued.

The post doc will be based in the Department of Environmental Studies, at the College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY-ESF, a doctoral granting university with a high level of research. With a total enrollment of about 1,700 undergraduates and 600 graduate students, ESF provides an intimate small-college atmosphere while hosting several graduate programs. SUNY-ESF and Syracuse University (SU) have adjacent campuses.

Syracuse is a mid-sized city centrally located in the NY state. Re-emerging from its industrial past, the city promotes a growing green technology sector, strong health care and higher educational systems, and is a leader in urban green infrastructure. The region possesses numerous physical, cultural and recreational amenities that make it a stimulating place to live. The Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, St. Lawrence and Hudson Rivers, Finger Lakes, Erie Canal and Great Lakes regions, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal are all within easy travel distances.

Application Procedures: Applications should include a cover letter summarizing qualifications and research interests, curriculum vitae, a writing sample (a journal article or thesis chapter), and contact information for three references.  Applications will be reviewed starting December 15, 2014.  Position available to start in February 2015.

For more information about the position or to apply, please email Theresa Selfa (with subject line Postdoc Environmental Governance):

Dr. Theresa Selfa

Associate Professor, Environmental Studies

E-mail: tselfa@esf.edu