Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Vancouver, Canada - University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia

Verified Company

Vancouver, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

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Description

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Coastal Mangrove

Department

Research | Sunderland Lab | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences | Faculty of Forestry (Terence Sunderland)

Posting End Date

May 31, 2024

Note:
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

May 30, 2026

Annual salary:
$55,000-70,000 including benefits.

Co-developing Decision Support System for Coastal Mangrove-based Socio-ecological

Systems in Eastern and Western Africa (CoastMan)

Posting End Date

May 31st, 2024

Note:
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Annual salary:
$55,000-70,000 including benefits.

Job description

Coastal Mangroves in Eastern and Western Africa offer coastal communities much-needed ecosystem services and protection against key climate change risks, including risks to low-lying coastal-ecological systems, risks to terrestrial and ocean ecosystems, and as a result, risks to food security.

Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts because of (1) their location being highly exposed to sea level rise and erosion, (2) poor socio-economic conditions, and (3) their high dependence on mangrove ecosystems.

Coastal Mangroves however are highly threatened both by anthropogenic and climate change pressures.

The main objective of the project (CoastMan) is co-production and uptake of a Multi-Criteria Decision Support System (DSS) that provides vulnerable communities and decision-makers a knowledge-based decision-making capacity for the restoration and conservation of socio-ecological systems.

An interdisciplinary and trans sectoral team is established from researchers and stakeholders from across three continents (North America, Europe, and Africa), in partnership with vulnerable groups to co-develop and uptake a DSS to promote mitigation and strategies that enhance the adaptive capacities of the mangrove socio-ecological systems in Eastern and Western Africa.

Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from extensive field research in coastal Tanzania and Ghana, extensive literature, and remote sensing, the project will 1) co-develop dynamic maps of drivers and risks of mangrove habitat loss, 2) support locally-led social-ecological and climate resilience through coordinated management of mangrove resources, 3) co-develop sustainable livelihood strategies for coastal communities, 4) co-design a novel multicriteria framework for mangrove restoration and conservation, and 5) co-develop a novel DSS for mangrove socio-ecological systems.

We have devised a co-production and dissemination strategy so that project outputs will assist in identifying mitigation strategies and enhancing adaptive capacities of the frontline coastal communities, including building their capacity needs in designing climate actions such as restoration and conservation of mangrove ecosystems.

Furthermore, the project will lead to improved knowledge and capacity of partner institutions through supporting early career researchers and promoting strengthened collaboration between partners and vulnerable coastal mangrove-dependent communities.

There will be two post-doctoral researchers based at UBC for the duration of the project, one in the Institute of Oceans and Fisheries and the other in the Faculty of Forestry.

This job advertisement is for the latter position.

Together, the post-docs will contribute to the research outputs and coordination of the project in close coordination with the project PI and international partners.

Minimum Qualifications

A PhD degree in ecology, environmental and/or social sciences, or related field.
Strong qualitative and quantitative skills including socioecological research design, data analysis, statistical analysis and data management.
An interest in interdisciplinary research spanning the fields of ecology, social sciences, environmental policy, and environmental governance.
The ability to contribute to cosupervision of master's students based at partner institutions in Ghana and Tanzania, and to provide mentorship to other early career researchers on the project team.
Experience in writing and publishing peerreviewed articles.
Fluency in verbal and written English accompanied by excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and coordinate multipartner collaborative research projects and be comfortable with the concomitant travel this will entail.
Interest in working in an interdisciplinary, multicultural, and collaborative environment as a part of a diverse team.

Preferred skills

Experience in conducting collaborative science as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Proven record of project coordination.
Track record of undertaking fieldwork in close concert with partner institutions and earlycareer professionals.
Knowledge of Multi-Criteria Dec