The Environmental Resilience Institute at the University of Virginia (UVA) is launching a new postdoctoral program for researchers focused on climate change, its impacts on people and environments, and solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. The program will recruit postdoctoral scholars to grow UVA’s expertise in climate research across multiple disciplines. Our goal is to diversify voices in this domain by recruiting researchers who are underrepresented in the field and those who promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Our vision is to build a truly diverse cohort of researchers.

Climate Fellows will work as a cohort and will receive professional training, technical support, and computational infrastructure tailored to the program. Fellows are classified as research associates and each work directly with two faculty members in different disciplines to build cross-disciplinary fluency in support of their own research. They will join a network of faculty members focused on environmental resilience and sustainability from 30 departments in 12 schools across UVA.

Eligibility and Selection Process:

Applicants must have received or will receive their doctoral degrees (Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.) by the beginning of the fellowship; we prefer candidates who have received their degree within five years prior to the start of the appointment. There is no citizenship requirement.

Each fellow will be appointed for two years contingent on a successful annual review. Candidates are evaluated on three main criteria: 1.) the strength of their research; 2.) their ability to collaborate across disciplines; and 3.) a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Initial appointments will begin after February 2023.

There are two categories of fellows with unique requirements.

Climate Fellows:

• Scholars from any discipline who are interested in pursuing interdisciplinary work in any field that will link research with action related to climate change. For example, the primary focus may be on a policy or economics question, or be driven by an environmental need.

• Research foci are determined by the postdoctoral fellows. Candidates are encouraged, but not required, to identify and contact faculty mentors listed on our website prior to applying.

• We encourage projects that include 50% cost-sharing by faculty advisors or other sources of funding.

Climate Fellows – Bridging Global to Community Scales:

• Only researchers within science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are eligible.

• Research should attempt to bridge global-scale climate dynamics with community-scale processes. For example, projects could focus on cross-scale modeling, geospatial analysis, or decision science.

• Projects are proposed by UVA faculty and are listed under Research Areas and Projects on our website.

Postdoctoral Model:

In addition to our focus on diversity, our model consists of the following pillars:

• Impact-oriented research – advancing knowledge and its application to adaptation and mitigation.

• Working as a cohort – postdocs form an essential part of our social fabric and make up a community.

• Mentorship and professional training – all fellows receive dedicated mentorship that is focused on current research and future career prospects.

• Interdisciplinarity – all projects involve more than one field of study and reflect the vision that multiple perspectives are needed to address the impacts that climate change has on people and places.

Research Areas:

Our broad research themes are: Climate Dynamics, Climate Impacts, and Climate Action. We welcome scholars from all disciplines that contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation research and solutions. In addition to the faculty interested in mentoring postdoctoral fellows listed on our website, applicants can also contact additional researchers from the general faculty directory .

About the Institute:
The Environmental Resilience Institute is the hub of interdisciplinary environmental research at the university. We provide seed funding, research experiences, and training to faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students from the university’s 12 schools. With a focus on impactful research, the Institute and its collaborators are committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work. We partner with the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, UVA’s Career Center, and staff across the university to provide career development and extracurricular opportunities to student and postdoctoral faculty.

The University of Virginia is rated as one of the top three public universities in the nation and in the top 30 among all universities, public and private. Charlottesville is frequently cited as one of the best cities in which to live and work. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):

This postdoctoral program encourages applications from researchers across historically underrepresented groups. This includes race, ethnicity and national origins, gender and gender identity, sexuality, class, culture, and religion.

To Apply:

External Applicants: Apply through Workday, and search for ‘R0044168.’ Complete an application online and attach the following:

• CV/resume

• Cover Letter (The cover letter should describe candidate’s research interest and describe how it aligns with either an existing project or faculty expertise. Please also indicate which category you are applying for: General Climate Fellow or a Global to Community Fellow.

• Personal DEI Statement (highly encouraged, but not required)

• Contact information for three references (name, email address, telephone number, and address).

Internal UVA Applicants: Please apply through your Workday Home page, search “Find Jobs”

Application Timeline:

• Application Opens: January 30th, 2023

• First applications will be reviewed after February 20th and remain open until filled

For questions about the position, please contact Will Evans, Program Manager, at wpe2a@virginia.edu .

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, at js9rk@virginia.edu .

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines  webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements?and?guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.