Columbia University in the City of New York: Arts and Sciences Core - Academic: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Departments of Earth and Environmental Sciences, African American and African Diaspora Studies, Anthropology, History, Political Science, and Sociology invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist with expertise in community-engaged research, earth science, geography, African American and African diaspora studies, anthropology, history, political science, sociology, Native studies, or related disciplines with relevance to the environment and environmental justice. We seek candidates who conduct research that examines and addresses issues of environmental, climate, and racial justice. We particularly encourage applications from those with experience working collaboratively with communities and across disciplines. This position is funded by the Graduate Equity Initiative to support the expansion of the graduate-level Seminar in Race, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice. The hire will devote fifty percent of their work hours to seminar organization and instruction and fifty percent to their own environmental justice-centered research. This position is awarded for three years with a starting salary of $73,000/year (12-month appointment) plus healthcare benefits, and $6,000 in start-up funds. This position falls under a collective bargaining agreement.

The start date for this position is October 1, 2021 at the earliest but this date is flexible into 2022.

Minimum Degree Required: PhD within the last three academic years.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in geography, history, anthropology, African and Diaspora studies, Native studies, or related discipline with relevance to the environment and environmental justice;
• Experience conducting community-engaged research that examines and addresses issues of environmental, climate, and/or racial justice;
• Teaching experience;
• Dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Experience working collaboratively across disciplines and with a variety of stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• New York City-specific knowledge and associations;
• Experience in curriculum development.
  

Applications should include: (1) a cover letter [500 word limit]; (2) a research statement outlining completed research (including dissertation), plans for research during the three-year fellowship, and any other information related to the applicant’s professional goals, with emphasis on how the applicant’s scholarship, teaching, and/or other experiences have demonstrated a commitment to environmental justice [1,500 word limit]; (3) a teaching statement explaining the applicant’s teaching philosophy, including how the applicant would design a one-semester seminar on environmental justice [1,000 word limit]; (4) a current curriculum vitae; and (5) the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references.

It is the intent that all applicants be considered on an individual basis and that special consideration be given to those applicants who: (i) are the first in their family to attend graduate school; (ii) have, either as a result of their socio-economic background, status as a member of an historically underrepresented group, or challenging life experiences, overcome substantial obstacles on their journey to graduate school; (iii) have lived or worked in a diverse environment; and/or (iv) have, through their undergraduate education or work experience, demonstrated a commitment to serving historically underprivileged populations or demonstrated a commitment to the academic study of historically underrepresented populations.

Please contact Kaleigh Matthews (kaleighm@ldeo.columbia.edu) with questions on the position.

The application period will close September 1, 2021.