UC Davis Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior: Post-doctoral Fellowship in Evaluation of Nitrogen Management Extension and Outreach

Position Description

The University of California, Davis (UCD) Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior (CEPB) seeks a post-doctoral scholar to provide leadership a large-scale extension, education, and outreach project on agricultural nitrogen management in California’s Central Valley, spearheaded by California Department of Food and Agriculture and involving any other partners.  Nitrogen management and associated nitrate pollution is one of the most important agricultural and environmental problems in California and around the world. The fellow will support evaluating an outreach program that aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable nitrogen management practices and increase N-use efficiency. The research will involve qualitative interviews of farmers and other stakeholders, and quantitative analysis of farmers survey data from a variety of sources. The project is highly policy engaged with many different types of agricultural and environmental agencies and organizations. The fellow should have strong skills in program evaluation methods such as causal inference models, project management, and experience with research in agricultural decision-making.  The project builds on a long history of agricultural decision-making research in CEPB.

Annual salary ranges from $55,631 to $66,598 depending on experience. As a postdoctoral fellow, 20% of your time can be allocated to self-directed work.

General Qualifications

Applicants should have recently completed doctoral degree or be able to demonstrate ability to complete a doctoral degree by fellowship start date. The position is open with respect to discipline, and could include political science, public policy, economics, public administration, urban studies, sociology, or a related field. Necessary qualifications are: (1) demonstrated capacity to work independently and lead the development and publication of research results; (2) training and experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods from an evaluation perspective; (3) training and experience in environmental policy and governance. Preferred qualifications include: (1) experience in statistical network analysis, natural language processing, multilevel models, spatial regression, causal inference, or other methods specific to the projects outlined above; and (2) programming experience in R, Python, or a similar object-oriented programming language.

Application Process

Please submit application materials via email to cepb@ucdavis.edu. Applications should include a CV, a letter (2 pages maximum) describing research interests and background, fit for preferred fellowship position(s), examples of any relevant publications, and a page listing contact information for three references. Applications review will begin immediately, and continue until positions are filled. Top candidates will be interviewed virtually, with possibility of campus visit, and asked to supply letters of reference. For questions, please contact Mark Lubell.

UC Davis Notifications

The University of California, Davis, is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to the development of a climate that supports equality of opportunity and respect for differences. UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus.