Postdoctoral Scholar for the Duwamish Valley River Research Coordination Network


Position Overview


School / Campus / College: University of Washington, Bothell

Organization: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences

Title: Postdoctoral Scholar for the Duwamish Valley River Research Coordination Network


Position Details


Position Description

The School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (IAS) at the University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) seeks an interdisciplinary postdoctoral scholar with a strong background in critical physical geography, environmental justice, ethnography, political ecology, or other disciplines where integrating social science and physical science are imperatively important to the research methodology.  The postdoctoral fellow is expected to participate in research-based project activities, including leading social science research with community members and partners and analysis of social data such as information collected through surveys and interviews. Occasional sampling of soil, water, and sediment may be required, and experience with field or laboratory research is optimal. The postdoctoral scholar may also attend lectures, seminars and workshops related to the research, and will supervise research students (both undergraduate and graduate) on the project alongside Co-PI team members.  Knowledge and experience working with BIPOC communities and tribes is strongly desired.

The successful applicant will be funded by an EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Climate Change and Environmental Justice grant. The project is centered around climate change and environmental justice issues in the Duwamish Valley, particularly surrounding contaminants and flooding near superfund sites.  For more information about the study, please see https://sites.google.com/uw.edu/dvrcn/.

The position is a twelve-month appointment at 100% FTE with the opportunity to extend to a second year subject to approval and availability of funding. Desired start date is June 1, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The salary is $72,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

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.

Position Responsibilities

  • Conduct research that integrates social and biophysical data in alignment with project objectives
  • Be primary lead for social science project objectives and oversee collection of interviews, surveys, and workshops with community participants
  • Engage with broader community (including academics, professionals, and community partners) through workshops, seminars, and outreach activities
  • Conduct soil, water, and sediment sampling when needed and coordinate field team
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to undergraduate and graduate students on research projects.
  • Engage in regular meetings and discussions to share progress, insights, and findings with team members
  • Prepare research papers and publish research findings in top-tier conferences and journals within the field
  • Maintain thorough documentation of research methodologies, results, and code
  •  Assist in preparing progress reports and project documentation
  •  Assist in writing grant proposals to secure funding for ongoing and future research projects

The priority deadline for review of applications is April 5, 2024.

Qualifications

  • Interview and survey experience
  • Community led research experience (e.g. community science, participatory research)
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including ability to code interviews and surveys and integrate social data with biophysical contaminant data (knowledge of coding software useful, e.g. QDA Miner, Dedoose, QTIP)
  • Knowledge of environmental justice and critical geographies
  • Experience with GIS and making maps
  • Experience working with BIPOC and tribal communities and/or ability to engage in reciprocal and respectful research with underserved communities
  • Experience with statistical analysis and/or data visualization software (e.g. R, Python, Spatial Stats, Stata, SPSS, Tableau)
  • Familiarity with environmental justice policies, superfund policies, or contamination
  • Candidate must have Ph.D. at time of the appointment start date.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States in order to be considered for the position.

 

Instructions

The University of Washington is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

To be considered for this position, please submit the following materials:

  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • List of References and Contact Information
  • Research Statement (maximum of 2 pages, detailing past experience and why you are interested in this position)

Optional Documents

  • Letter of Recommendation 1
  • Letter of Recommendation 2
  • Letter of Recommendation 3
  • Other Supporting Documents

 For general inquiries, please email Dr. Melanie Malone at drmalone@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.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

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Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.