PostDoctoral Associate - Drought Risk and Resilience in Smallholder Agricultural Systems

Job Summary

The Sustainability Innovation Laboratory at Colorado (SILC) encourages applications for a PostDoctoral Associate focused on climate resilience in smallholder agriculture systems. The applicant for this position will be part of a large, multi-university, collaborative effort to use geospatial data in support of sustainable land management in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The overarching goal of this project is to develop measurable data products that can be used to improve the resilience of smallholder farms in the face of a changing climate. One specific focus is on developing improved innovative approaches to predicting the risks of droughts on crop growth and combining these analyses with improved land planning analysis and estimates of socioeconomic vulnerabilities in different locations. The primary focus areas for this work are Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Senegal.

A successful applicant should have familiarity with geospatial data and an ability to develop and use geospatial resources drawn from a variety of sources including remote sensing, global map products, and point biophysical and socioeconomic data. This may include knowledge of remote sensing, GIS, spatial statistics, data analytics, or related areas. This postdoctoral position will also involve close collaboration with researchers, policymakers, and farmers in target regions to co-design approaches that can address local needs. A successful applicant for this position will have both technical ability and a strong background in agronomy or land planning as well as an interest in working closely with the end-users of the data generated in this work. A Ph.D. with project relevant research expertise is required.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

SILC develops the knowledge, capacity, partnerships, technology, and diverse workforce to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable world and educates the next generation of researchers, communicators, and innovators who will lead this change. SILC supports scholars and students engaged in impact oriented research, education, and service in order to improve the success and sustainability of human activities.

SILC is an interdisciplinary and solution oriented center that supports diverse projects and educational programs linked by a common focus on issues in sustainability and the environment. SILC’s impact oriented research includes engineering, physical and natural sciences, social science, social justice, psychology, humanities, business, law, computer science, and other subject areas. Check out Our Work to learn more about our current initiatives and collaborations.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Lead efforts to develop improved drought risk and resilience assessment for regions in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Lead efforts to co-develop new data products with local groups in target regions.
• Contribute to spatial data analysis efforts relevant to this project.

What You Should Know

The timing of job start and relocation is flexible and can be adjusted depending on COVID-pandemic trends.

What We Can Offer

Salary range for this position is $58,000 - $65,000. We can offer a full benefits package.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

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What We Require

• Ph.D. in a related field.
• Proven capability of working with data in support of smallholder farming communities.
• Experience in agronomy, land planning, or related field including confirmed ability to publish research in scientific journals.

What You Will Need

• A strong interest in improving the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers and a critical but positive view on the potential value of new information/data in more sustainable and resilient decision making.
• Ability to work with a diverse team from multiple universities and countries and a willingness to engage with communities on the ground in our research areas.
• Ability to write compelling and creative scientific research papers and an interest in supporting sustainable development through other creative means such as social media, new data distribution platforms, and other innovative new technologies.

What We Would Like You To Have

A strong mix of technical capabilities and an ability to work well with people from a diverse group of backgrounds and cultures.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. Letter of Recommendation

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version (if applicable) as an optional attachment.

Please apply by December 31, 2020 for consideration.

You may contact Professor Jason Neff with questions related to this posting: Jason.C.Neff@colorado.edu.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Jason Neff

Posting Contact Email: Jason.C.Neff@colorado.edu