Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
The expected salary for this position is $75,000 per annum or $6250 per month.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDF) for Interdisciplinary Social Scientist working on Energy Transitions and Carbon Dioxide Removal
Position Summary
We are looking to hire a postdoctoral research fellow to study public perceptions of climate-mitigating technologies in general and as a part of energy transition trajectories. The successful candidate will be a part of the teams managed by Terre Satterfield, Sara Nawaz, and Holly Caggiano at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She/he/they will develop and contribute to new research on the social impacts, implications and governing conditions of carbon dioxide removal (hereafter CDR) technologies, particularly in marine and coastal contexts.
The goal of our group is to advance theory and empirical work on (a) how people think about carbon dioxide removal technologies, (b) the conditions under which they are socially viable or not, and (c) how these also might be judged as part of larger energy transition planning in urban, rural and regional contexts. The successful candidate must have completed a PhD that includes full training in survey design and analysis, including fundamental statistical principles and reasoning as this applies to the social and behavioural social sciences. Qualitative research skills will be an important plus: that is, the ability to conduct independent analysis, coding and outputs based on methods such as small group, interview or related approaches.
The Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (Satterfield and Nawaz) as well as SCARP (Caggiano) are regarded as flagship graduate and professional programs at UBC, a nucleus for groundbreaking interdisciplinary social science research. Our faculty conduct research that advances our fundamental understanding of human behaviour and its many policy implications as well as what this means for health and wellbeing, globally and locally.
Responsibilities will include:
Research – Contributes to and leads collaborative interdisciplinary research in solutions-oriented climate science and social science. Contributions include participating in design, project development and implementation, analysis, conference presentations, report writing and publications.
Research coordination - Conducts collaborative research projects, working with the faculty members, postdoctoral students and graduate and undergraduate students across the entire research cycle, from project development, to coordination, implementation and evaluation of the research program, to developing final products such as publications, presentations and outreach materials.
Knowledge mobilization – Coordinates and facilitates efforts to mobilize knowledge based on research, including facilitating development of new academic programs, outreach products and outreach programs, and development of an online presence.
Partnership building – Assists with developing and maintaining the relationship with academic, governmental, non-governmental and private sectors, both in Canada and internationally.
Financial management – Assists in overseeing the budget plan and financial reports.
Qualifications
● PhD in a relevant environmental social science field (obtained within the last 5 years) including an interdisciplinary degree or degrees in environmental sociology or psychology, social and physical geography, and many others.
● Prior work with environmental organizations, companies or government agencies is an asset.
● Extensive knowledge of social science research and methodologies, particularly survey approaches, as they pertain to energy transitions, energy and climate solutions, and climate-mitigating technologies.
● Passion for solutions-oriented work in reference to energy transitions and climate change.
● Proven research expertise, which could include literature reviews, protocol development, field research design, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and accompanying publication record.
● Demonstrated experience and success in researching, writing and managing research funding or other grants.
● Demonstrated coordination skills with a strong track record for developing positive relationships and the ability to effectively plan, organize and support collaborative research. Training in facilitation is considered an asset.
● Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with colleagues and supporting a dynamic and creative team. Strong project management skills with the ability to conduct needs analyses, plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete, evaluate multi-year projects within allocated time and resources and identify, obtain and effectively manage people, materials, budgets.
● Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution and negotiating skills with the ability to deal effectively with a diversity of people/cultures.
● Experience in grant management desired. Demonstrated knowledge of UBC's organizational structures, relationships, policies, and protocols is an asset.
Start date and stipend
The start date is immediate but flexible. The position is full-time for two years, subject to satisfactory performance appraisals.
The funding package consists of a salary of $75,000 annually @ 1.0 FTE plus benefits. While this position is grant-funded, the successful applicant will be expected to apply for external fellowship funding.
How to Apply
Candidates should provide a CV, names and contact information of 3 references, and a cover letter describing past achievements and future research interests by June 15th, 2026.
Please indicate in your cover letter how you became aware of the position.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.