Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Description

The Natural Hazards Center in the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate for a full-time, 12-month position, with benefits, that can begin as early as January 1, 2018. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year, contingent on satisfactory performance. The person who is hired for this position will assist in the development of two new platforms and corresponding networks—Social Science Extreme Events Reconnaissance (SSEER) and Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Extreme Events Reconnaissance (ISEEER). SSEER and ISEEER will be designed to help researchers respond to and overcome long-standing challenges to rapid research and identify new opportunities for the advancement of the hazards and disaster field. The ultimate vision for the work is to prepare individual researchers and interdisciplinary teams to carry out extreme events rapid reconnaissance research that is coordinated, comprehensive, coherent, ethical, and scientifically rigorous. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work under the direct supervision of Professor Lori Peek, who is the Principal Investigator for this National Science Foundation-funded project.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of the SSEER and ISEEER platforms by drawing upon insights from the science of team science (SciTS) and leveraging databases and information resources available through the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado Boulder to build the capacity of the social science, engineering, and interdisciplinary hazards and disaster research communities. Specifically, the candidate will be expected to contribute by assisting with the following activities: (1) identifying, cataloguing, and mapping researchers from a range of disciplines engaged in hazards and disaster research; (2) coordinating those researchers in the event of a major disaster; (3) developing research frameworks and ethical guidance for social science and interdisciplinary disaster research; (4) cataloging existing research protocols, instruments, validated scales and measures, and secondary data sets; and (5) convening social scientists, engineers, and scholars working in the science of team science to inform the project and advance the science and practice of rapid reconnaissance research. Ideally, the successful candidate will have demonstrated quantitative and qualitative methodological skills; data visualization expertise; experience working with large data sets; a strong interest in natural hazards research and/or the science of team science; and experience with disaster reconnaissance field studies. A Ph.D. in a related social science, engineering, or interdisciplinary area of study is required at time of appointment.

Application Process

Please send full applications electronically by no later than October 1, 2017. Applications received by this date will be given first consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Screening will begin October 15, 2017. The application must include a cover letter in which the applicant describes his/her experience or interests in hazards and disaster research, a current CV, one sample published paper (co-authored papers are acceptable), a list of three references, a letter of recommendation, proof of degree, and unofficial transcripts. Additional letters or other supporting documentation may be requested from the finalists for this position. Top candidates will be interviewed by SKYPE or phone with the possibility of a campus visit.

Applications are to be submitted on-line.

If this link does not work, please follow these directions:
1. Visit the following link: https://www.jobsatcu.com/
2. Click on “Search for Career Opportunities” on the upper right side of the page.
3. Under “Job Number” enter: 10823
4. Click on “PostDoctoral Associate” to see full position description and application process.

The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment and conducts background checks on all final applicants being considered for employment. The University of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the ADA Coordinator at hr-ada@colorado.edu.

For more information about this position, please contact:
Lori Peek, PhD
Director, Natural Hazards Center
Professor, Department of Sociology
University of Colorado Boulder
Lori.Peek@Colorado.edu