[Swarm-Modelling] postdoctoral opportunities at University of Maine

[Carol Hamel]

Two Postdoctoral Fellows: Coupled Natural-Human Systems Modeling and 
Climate/Environmental System Modeling 

The University of Maine is launching an international search for two 
Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Fellows: one in the area of Coupled 
Natural-Human Systems Modeling and one in Climate/Environmental System 
Modeling. The successful candidates
will join a new Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) funded by a 5-year, 
$20 million NSF EPSCoR grant. SSI includes a team of 30+ faculty from a range 
of disciplines and multiple academic institutions statewide. SSI's 
transformative research
program integrates coupled natural and human systems modeling, stakeholder 
engagement, and solutions-oriented research activities. Organized under a theme 
of landscape change, SSI supports multiple research projects focused on 
urbanization, forest
ecosystem management, and climate change. 

Currently, more than 10 different SSI-funded research projects are exploring 
various sustainability science challenges, presenting a unique opportunity to 
advance this emerging field.  A major thrust of SSI is to produce a new 
generation of
scientists who are equipped to work across disciplinary boundaries and adept at 
collaborative, problem-solving work that spans research and practice.  The 
successful candidate will join an outstanding cohort of incoming researchers, 
including 4 new
faculty, 3 other postdoctoral fellows, and 20+ doctoral students.  SSI is 
recruiting for this Postdoctoral Fellow position with tentative start dates 
beginning as early as July-August, 2010. The initial appointment will be for a 
one-year duration
with an opportunity for fixed-length renewal.

Position #1:  Coupled Natural-Human Systems Modeling

Responsibilities: The postdoctoral fellow will become an active member of the 
SSI research team with a major role in research design; data collection, 
analysis, and, especially, modeling; and publishing.  By participating in 
ongoing team projects
and SSI-wide research activities, this Fellow will be expected to develop an 
active modeling research program that serves an integrative role, advances 
science, and strengthens collaborations among SSI faculty.  Core research 
responsibilities will
include planning and completion of modeling research projects, preparation of 
manuscripts for publication in collaboration with SSI researchers, presentation 
of research findings at public and professional meetings, and working with SSI 
researcher
to pursue additional research funding. The successful candidate will also have 
the opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of SSI 
curricula and mentoring programs for graduate and undergraduate students. 

Qualifications: A Ph.D. with specialization in modeling or computer science is 
required by the time of appointment.  The following experience and skills will 
be given preference: coupled natural-human systems research experience; 
expertise in
modeling approaches appropriate to coupled systems (e.g., artificial 
intelligence, systems, agent-based, spatial); data management and programming 
expertise; and experience developing models of land use change, climate change 
or forest ecosystems.

Position #2: Climate/Environmental System Modeling

Responsibilities: We seek a postdoctoral fellow with core competencies in the 
following areas: linking terrestrial environmental process models (for example, 
surface hydrologic processes, water quality, groundwater flow, regional 
climate),
sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, downscaling climate projections to local 
and regional scales, risk analyses to support planning and multi-criteria 
decision-making. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to participate in 
ongoing team
projects and SSI-wide research activities, such as statewide sustainability 
problem assessments within the areas of urbanization, forest ecosystem 
management, climate change, and stakeholder engagement. Core research 
responsibilities will include
planning and completion of research projects, preparation of manuscripts for 
publication in collaboration with SSI researchers, and presentation of research 
findings at public and professional meetings, and working with SSI researchers 
to pursue
additional research funding. The successful candidate will also have the 
opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of SSI 
curricula and mentoring programs for graduate and undergraduate students. 

Qualifications: A Ph.D. with specialization in earth science, environmental 
sciences, civil and environmental engineering, systems engineering or a closely 
related technical or scientific discipline is required by the time of 
appointment. Experience
working on interdisciplinary research teams is preferred.

Applications for both positions: Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to 
support their research programs, produce high-quality scholarship and 
publications, and advance the SSI research program. Applications must include 
all of the following
materials for consideration:

(1) A letter of interest (2-3 pages) that summarizes the candidate's: research 
program, qualifications for the position, interests in sustainability science, 
and plans for addressing the Fellowship responsibilities. When describing your
qualifications, please provide a summary of your modeling skills and your long 
term scientific interests, including discussion  of modeling, data management 
and programming expertise; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) undergraduate and graduate 
transcripts;
(4) a sample of research (e.g., peer-reviewed publication); and (5) names and 
contact information of three professional references.

Please send materials in PDF form to [ mailto:address@hidden address@hidden or 
in hard copy form to:
Ruth Hallsworth
Senator George J. Mitchell Center 
5710 Norman Smith Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5710

Review of applications will begin May 15, 2010.

The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer 
committed to maintaining an intellectually and culturally diverse faculty and 
staff.

Details about the SSI research project and program can be found at:
http://www.umaine.edu/sustainabilitysolutions/