Postdoctoral Opportunity Available in Climate Change and Citizen Science

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Faculty of Science at the University of Windsor is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to lead a novel community/citizen science initiative bridging climate change, ecohydrology, and the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) in STEM. The candidate will be engaged in the implementation of a new program to distribute and collect climate data across the Windsor-Essex region of southwestern Ontario, Canada. The project aims to exploit the full potential of researchers and citizen scientists working collaboratively, including extending and up-scaling existing databases into accessible information assets that promote action on the Great Lakes management challenges, developing a sustainable program for training of citizen science leaders that integrates into existing education programs, developing the next-generation of data collection tools and software, and solving challenges related to data validation and optimally deploying sensor infrastructure. Spanning urban to agricultural, including greenhouse environments, this position offers a unique opportunity to work with experts and community members to inform locally made solutions to combatting climate change and implement novel educational programming.

The successful candidate will have expertise across dimensions including, but not limited to, ecosystem and/or hydrological sciences, software engineering, geospatial analysis, educational research and/or outreach experience. 

Lead Supervisor: Cameron Proctor

Co-Supervisors: Isabelle Barrette-Ng & Catherine Febria

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       PhD in Geography, Environmental Science, Ecology or STEM education research (or a related degree)

·       Proficiency with one or more skills related to community science/citizen science data platforms or programs including visualization and geospatial software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Community engagement experience related to citizen science efforts

·       Experience with knowledge mobilization, outreach, or science communication

·       Experience working with local communities, farmers, K-12 schools and/or the general public

·       Experience with mixed methods, including conducting interviews and focus groups, creating surveys, and performing critical discourse analysis

·       Experience with geospatial technologies (e.g., location aware apps, unmanned aerial vehicles, time-lapse cameras, geoweb, low-cost sensors, and internet of things) 

·       Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a research team, mentor student researchers, and take the lead in organizing collaborative work

·       Strong organizational, project management, and oral and written communication skills

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Deadline: May 3rd, 2021, or until a suitable candidate is found

Start date: Late May - Early June 2021 (flexible)

Term: 1 year with possibility of extension. 

Apply to Dr. Proctor via email (cameron.proctor@uwindsor.ca ) with the subject “Postdoc Climate Change and Community Science”. The full application will include a single PDF file consisting of:

·       A cover letter describing your research interests and suitability (maximum two pages)

·       A CV, including a list of your publications

·       A statement on your strengths and related experiences

·       Contact details for three professional references

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those under consideration will be contacted. Applications submitted through employment agencies will not be considered.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The University of Windsor sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, which includes the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomie. We are committed to strengthening these relationships within the University and beyond, and to ensure that indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems are incorporated and fully acknowledged in the work of this committee and our collective scholarship. 

The University of Windsor is a welcoming community that is committed to equity and supports diversity in its teaching, learning, and work environments. The University recently signed on to the NSERC Dimensions Charter in a commitment to embed EDI principles in policies, practices, action plans, and culture. In pursuit of the University's Employment Equity Plan, members from the designated groups (women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community) are encouraged to apply and to self-identify. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at grantappts@uwindsor.ca. Should you require further information on accommodation, please visit the website of the Office of Human Rights, Equity & Accessibility (OHREA) at www.uwindsor.ca/ohrea. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. 

The University of Windsor is a comprehensive, student-centred university with 15,500 students from more than 85 different countries enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including several professional schools. The University’s strength as an internationally oriented, multi-disciplinary institution actively enables a broad diversity of students, faculty, and staff to make a better world through education, scholarship, research, and engagement. Located on the scenic Detroit River waterfront in Canada’s southernmost city, the University of Windsor provides a dynamic, supportive, diverse, and safe campus adjacent to urban amenities. For more information, please visit the University website.