The Great Lakes Ecology and Toxicology Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Duluth, MN will soon be advertising two related Post-Doctoral Research positions focused on changes to human well-being following environmental restoration in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC).
The first position will focus on mapping and measuring changes to ecosystem services and associated benefits from Great Lakes coastal ecosystem restoration efforts. This research will include measuring how benefits change due to climate change, particularly future change in lake levels. The goal of this project is to forecast how changes in ecosystem services could influence human communities within neighborhoods and urban areas. Ideal candidates could have experience in one or more of the following fields: ecology, biology, environmental science, epidemiology, public health, geography, environmental economics, or a related field.
The second position will focus on community resources and capacities. This project intends to use social science case study methodologies to better understand community values, decisions, abilities, and actions in relation to environmental concerns. Ideal candidates could have experience in one or more of the following fields: geography, environmental studies, anthropology, sociology, or a related field.
Work from both of these postdoctoral positions will support ongoing remediation and restoration projects led by EPA Great Lakes National Program Office. The postdocs will join an interdisciplinary team of researchers including social scientists and ecologists focused on translational ecology, an approach in which scientists, stakeholders, and decision makers together develop solutions that address sociological, ecological, and political contexts of environmental problems. The PI’s leading this work include Joel Hoffman ([email protected]), Katie Williams ([email protected]), and Samantha Rumschlag ([email protected]). Interested candidates should be in touch via email ahead of the job posting to express interest. The job posting will occur towards the end of May via Zintellect (https://www.zintellect.com/), where candidates can apply. This position description serves as a tool for recruiting ahead of the job posting. Anticipated applications materials include a cover letter and CV/resume. Start dates are flexible but are expected Fall 2023.