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, beginning as early as January 1, 2019. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year, contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance.
The person who is hired for this position will assist in developing mental health, vulnerable populations, and other training components associated with the Social Science Extreme Events Research (SSEER) and Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Extreme Events Research (ISEEER) platforms. SSEER and ISEEER—which are part of the newly established National Science Foundation CONVERGE facility at the Natural Hazards Center—are designed to advance reconnaissance research and disaster science to benefit the broader hazards and disaster field. The ultimate vision for this work is to prepare individual researchers and interdisciplinary teams to carry out extreme events research that is coordinated, comprehensive, coherent, ethically grounded, and scientifically rigorous.
The postdoctoral research associate will work under the direct supervision of Professor Lori Peek, who is director of the Natural Hazards Center and principal investigator for the NSF CONVERGE project.
Qualifications and Expectations
The successful candidate will have demonstrated quantitative and qualitative methodological skills with a primary focus on mental health and/or public health research; strong verbal communication skills; experience working with large data sets and data repository platforms; an interest in disaster research and/or the science of team science; and experience with disaster reconnaissance field studies. A PhD in psychology, public health, sociology, or a related social or behavioral science area of study is required at the time of appointment.
The successful candidate will contribute to the development of mental health, vulnerable populations, and other related training outputs for SSEER and ISEEER platforms by drawing upon insights and materials from the disaster mental health and disaster social science literature. Familiarity with data sets and resources from the Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, and other leading institutions focused on mental and behavioral health and public health in disasters is desired.
The successful candidate will be expected to: (1) catalogue vulnerable population rapid reconnaissance research instruments and primary and secondary data sets; (2) catalogue mental health scales, measures, instruments, and data sets; (3) develop online training modules regarding vulnerable populations in disaster; (4) develop online training modules regarding mental health in disasters; and (5) develop evaluations and assessments to measure the impact of training modules and resources created.
Application Process
Please submit applications electronically by no later than November 15, 2018. Applications received by this date will be given first consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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, one letter of recommendation, proof of degree, and unofficial transcripts.
Applications are to be submitted on-line through the following link: https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=13587
Screening will begin immediately after the deadline. Additional letters or other supporting documentation may be requested from the finalists for this position. Top candidates will be interviewed by phone with the possibility of a campus visit.
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, Ph.D.
Director, Natural Hazards Center
Professor, Department of Sociology
University of Colorado Boulder
Lori.Peek@Colorado.edu