Project title: Public acceptance and preferences for climate change adaptation in the Mid-West

Salary: Minimum of $55,000

Start Date: January 1, 2022 (with flexibility between December 1 and January 31 start date) for a two-year position.

Apply by: Open until filled. Apply by October 31, 2021 for full consideration

To apply: Applications should be made to the University of Minnesota using the job application system for external candidates. Please search “External Candidates” for Job ID Number: 341174

https://humanresources.umn.edu/content/find-job

Project Summary: Climate change has the potential to alter the kinds and numbers of fish and wildlife that are available for recreationists such as hunters, anglers, and birdwatchers. Very limited knowledge exists about key public stakeholders’ (e.g., hunters, anglers, birdwatchers) perceptions of the conditions resulting from climate change to fish and wildlife resources or their preference for adaptation strategies to these changes. The objectives of this study are to: 1) to understand public acceptance of climate change consequences and public preferences for climate change adaptation strategies and the stability of those preferences; 2) identify the key antecedents and consequences of stability of these preferences for climate change adaptation management strategies; 3) develop recommendations for engaging the public and stakeholders in developing climate change adaptation management strategies.

Position Description & Qualifications: This is a two-year position with a preference for a post-doctoral candidate. Strong candidates will have completed a PhD before applying and have an interdisciplinary background in conducting research in psychology, behavioral economics, or decision science with a focus on conservation science. The ideal candidate will have core theoretical interests in social psychology and in modeling human behavior/decision making through discrete choice modeling in the context of climate change adaptation. The candidate should have quantitative analytical skills and experience with leading statistical packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS, STATA, R) with an interest in enhancing their quantitative and theoretical knowledge and demonstrated ability to prepare/author manuscripts. Knowledge of GIS is also desirable, but not required for this position. The candidate will work independently but under the supervision of Dr. David Fulton (Assistant Unit Leader & Adjunct Professor, Minnesota Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit) and Dr. Olivia LeDee, Acting Director Midwest CASC.

 

Location: The Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is housed in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. Funding is being provided through the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.

 

Compensation and Timeline

The position is available beginning December 1, 2021 with a start date of no later than January 31, 2022. Funding on the project is available for up to 2 years depending upon student performance. Depending on qualification, the Postdoctoral Research Associate selected for this position will receive a minimum initial salary of $55,000/year (negotiable) plus health & other benefits (25.4% of salary) with annual cost of living adjustments. 

For additional information, contact David Fulton (dcfulton@umn.edu) Assistant Unit Leader at the Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.