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About the Project:

This research project aims to integrate diverse data sources to assess and enhance agricultural resilience against climate change. By joining our team, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to creating a pioneering model that supports the transition to resilient, climate-forward agricultural systems.

Additional Information about the Job:

We are seeking a motivated and talented Postdoctoral Researcher to join an interdisciplinary team focused on developing integrated models for assessing agricultural resilience in response to climate change. This position will play a key role in advancing research that combines social, environmental, and climate data to create comprehensive, data-driven insights into how agricultural systems can adapt and thrive under climate pressures. The postdoc will work on a funded project aimed at building an integrated assessment model to inform climate-forward agricultural policy and strengthen regional resilience. Collaborators include the Environmental Defense Fund, University of Georgia and Michigan State University, and the position will be co-supervised by Dr. Eric Lonsdorf and Dr. Emily Burchfield

The successful candidate will contribute to several key project goals, including the following responsibilities:

• Assisting in the development of an integrated assessment model to evaluate agricultural resilience under various climate scenarios.
• Gathering, cleaning, and organizing large datasets for use within an integrated modeling framework, with particular focus on creating high-quality metadata and ensuring interoperability across data sources.
• Collaborating with team members who specialize in different aspects of the model to integrate social and environmental data effectively.
• Conducting spatial analyses, predictive modeling, and statistical assessments to support the development of a counter-factual assessment of agricultural vulnerability and an agricultural possibilities frontier.
• Be a co-PI on a grant building from the integrative model.

Position Details:

Start Date : Flexible but ideally around March 1st, 2024
Location: Environmental Sciences Department, Emory University, Atlanta GA
Term: Initial 15-month appointment with opportunities for additional funding

JOB DESCRIPTION: Helps design and conduct research within a specified field while receiving advanced training from a designated Principal Investigator to enhance professional skills and research independence needed for pursuit of a career. The specific area of research in which the trainee is mentored is determined by the department and laboratory of the Postdoc. Designs and evaluates experiments. Develops new ideas that promote current research. Prepares and publishes scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator. May be responsible for operation of specific equipment. May teach techniques to others, train, and supervise research staff. Positions are temporary appointments as a research trainee. The initial appointment is for one year, renewal expected if progress is satisfactory and funds are available. Appointments cannot exceed five years.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A doctoral degree or equivalent (Ph.D., M.D., ScD., D.V.M., DDS etc) in an appropriate field. Excellent scientific writing ability and strong oral communication skills. The ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues. Additional qualifications as specified by the Principal Investigator.

Essential Skills:

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Data Science, Agricultural Science, or a related field by the start date.
• Strong skills in spatial analysis and data integration, with proficiency in coding using R, Python, or MATLAB.
• Demonstrated experience working with large, complex datasets, ideally within social and environmental contexts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with climate data analysis.
• Familiarity with USDA datasets or previous experience working with U.S. agricultural systems.

Interested applicants should submit the following materials:
1. Cover letter outlining relevant skills and experience related to

    (1) data integration,
    (2) spatial analysis and coding,

    (3) climate and agricultural data, and
    (4) experience working with interdisciplinary teams.
2. Curriculum vitae (CV).
3. A writing sample (preferably a journal publication related to data integration or climate resilience in agriculture).
4. Contact information for three references (to be contacted for finalists)

We will start reviewing applications on January 31, 2025.

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