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POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN
AGROECOLOGY AND FOOD SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR
Our interdisciplinary team is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to study interactions between agroecosystem management systems and ecosystem properties such as productivity, biodiversity, or soil carbon and nutrient cycling. We are exploring relationships between policy, agricultural practices, and socioecological resilience of food systems for the family farming sector in Brazil.
The broader research project will assess how diverse management types impact ecosystems, rural livelihoods, and food security. We will use a household survey, fieldwork, and modeling to characterize farming systems in study sites in the Atlantic Forest biome in southeastern Brazil. We will compare the multifunctional outcomes of different management strategies using an interdisciplinary indicator framework, and identify opportunities and barriers to policies that support more resilient and sustainable food systems.
Applicants must have a PhD in a biological, ecological, environmental sciences or natural resources field and have strong writing skills. The ideal candidate will speak Portuguese, have excellent analytical skills, experience conducting fieldwork and/or ecosystem modeling, and have strong communication and interpersonal skills. Experience applying ecological theory and/or modeling to agricultural systems is highly desired.
The position is available starting in September 2015 with a flexible start date. Funding is available for two years, and the position will be renewed in the second year based on performance. The fellow will be based at the University of Michigan (UM) with travel to Brazil. This position is full-time at 100% effort.
The successful candidate will interact closely with the interdisciplinary team with members based at UM, the University of British Columbia, the University of Vermont, and the Federal University of Santa Catarina.
To apply, please submit the following by e-mail to Jennifer Blesh at [log in to unmask] and online at umjobs.org under Job ID # 113767 by August 19, 2015:
- Cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact information for 3 referees
- One or two relevant publications
The School of Natural Resources and Environment’s overarching mission is to contribute to the protection of the Earth's resources and the achievement of a sustainable society. Through research, education, and outreach, the faculty, staff, and students are devoted to generating knowledge and developing policies, techniques, and skills to help practitioners manage and conserve environmental resources to meet the full range of human needs on a sustainable basis.
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity employer,
and individuals from under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.