Job Title: Postdoctoral Associate, environmental social scientist Opportunity location: Chicago, IL Closing date: We will start to review applications after November 15, 2009 Opportunity Description: This is a full-time, grant-funded postdoctoral position for a period of 3 years. A qualified environmental social scientist will be one of four postdoctoral associates working closely together on two related NSF sponsored projects investigating research questions relevant to the mission of Chicago Wilderness. Chicago Wilderness is a biodiversity consortium of more than 240 member organizations with a mission to foster a dynamic engagement between the human and natural systems of the region. The Chicago Wilderness region stretches from southeastern Wisconsin through northeastern Illinois and northwest Indiana into southeast Michigan (www.chicagowilderness.org ) . The Science Team of the consortium, to which the investigators contribute, represent conservation biologists, ecologists, and social scientists, who provide objectively and scientifically sound input to assist decision-makers in devising policy and action concerning the acquisition, protection, restoration, and management of natural areas. The post-doctoral associates will work closely with the PIs and Senior Personnel to conduct the research. The research project examines the relationship between different types of planning and management processes and biodiversity outcomes at selected sites. The research will be interdisciplinary, involving ecological analysis of biological diversity, agent based modeling of potential outcomes, scenario testing, and integrated quantitative and qualitative analysis of land management processes. QUALIFICATIONS: Required: Ph.D. in the relevant social science ( for example, anthropology, environmental psychology, cultural geography, urban sociology, social ecology) with demonstrated interest in environmental issues, field research experience, ability to collect and analyze quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interview, participant-observation, focus group) data, familiarity with modeling approaches and/or planning theories. The successful candidate will also have to have team-work and leadership skills, capacity to direct undergraduate students, and experience working on interdisciplinary projects. The successful candidate will also have excellent writing skills. Preferred: Familiarity with Agent Based Modeling, Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, and/or Spanish language are highly desirable. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The post-doctoral associate will work with the social science team to refine the research design, protocol, and survey instruments, conduct field research, and participate in the analysis and write-up of the results. The associate will work with the other post-doctoral associate to plan the integrated components of the research. Field research will consist of collection of historical and administrative data; interviews with land- managers, scientists, site users, stewards, and adjacent residents; participant-observation at public meetings and during stewardship activities; and administration of surveys. SALARY AND BENEFITS: FM provides health benefits,and salary will be comparable to University-based post doctoral positions. The associate will have an office space at the Field Museum, and will also be able to use facilities at UIC and at the Forest Service Research Station. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Qualified applicants should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, copies of all college transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire), copies of up to 3 significant publications, or abstract of dissertation, and contact information for 3 referees to Ms. Dawn Martin-dmartin@fieldmuseum.org. If possible, please send application as one PDF file. For more information, please contact: Alaka Wali: awali@fieldmuseum.org Lynne Westphal: lwestphal@fs.fed.us Joanne Vining: jvining@uiuc.edu Moira Zellner: MZellner@uic.edu