University of Maine
Sustainability Solutions Initiative Postdoctoral Fellows Program
The University of Maine is launching a national search for Postdoctoral Sustainability Science Fellows. The successful candidates will join a new Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) funded by a 5-year, $20 million NSF EPSCoR grant. SSI includes a team of 30 faculty from a range of disciplines and multiple academic institutions statewide. SSI’s transformative research program integrates coupled natural and human systems modeling, stakeholder engagement, and solutions-oriented research activities. Organized under a theme of landscape change, SSI supports multiple research projects focused on urbanization, forest ecosystem management, and climate change. Collectively, these projects speak to various sustainability science challenges and present a unique opportunity to advance the field of sustainability science. A major thrust of SSI is to produce a new generation of scientists who are equipped to work across disciplinary boundaries and adept at collaborative, problem-solving work that spans research and practice. SSI is recruiting a cohort of 4 Postdoctoral Fellows with tentative start dates ranging from February 2010 to April 2010. These initial appointments will be for a one-year duration with an opportunity for renewal. Concurrent SSI recruitment initiatives are seeking applications for 20 to 25 Doctoral Fellows and 4 faculty positions.
Responsibilities: As a cohort, the 4 Postdoctoral Fellows will serve an integrative function to the overall SSI. We seek postdoctoral fellows who can align themselves with one or more ongoing research teams and are willing to assume broader, integrative research responsibilities. The postdoctoral fellows will be expected to participate in ongoing team projects and SSI-wide research activities, such as statewide sustainability problem assessments within the areas of urbanization, forest ecosystem management, climate change, and stakeholder engagement. Core research responsibilities will include planning and completion of research projects, preparation of manuscripts for publication in collaboration with SSI researchers, and presentation of research findings at public and professional meetings. The cohort will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of SSI curricula and mentoring programs for graduate and undergraduate students.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. with specialization in biological or earth sciences, communication, engineering, mathematics, natural resource management, public policy, social sciences or a closely related technical or scientific discipline is required by the time of appointment. Preference will be given to candidates with experience working on interdisciplinary research teams.
Applications: Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to support their research programs, produce high-quality scholarship and publications, and advance the SSI research program. Applications must include all of the following materials for consideration: (1) a written statement (2-3 pages) that summarizes both the candidate’s research goals and interests in sustainability science and the candidate’s capacity and plan for completing the Fellowship responsibilities; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) undergraduate and graduate transcripts; (4) a sample of research (e.g., peer-reviewed publication); and (5) names and contact information of three professional references. Please send materials in PDF form to hallsworth@maine.edu or in hard copy form to Ruth Hallsworth, Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research, 5710 Norman Smith Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Review of applications will begin December 18, 2009.
For more details on SSI, visit the project website at: .
The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to maintaining an intellectually and culturally diverse faculty and staff.
