Job Description

We are seeking to recruit a postdoctoral researcher who has interdisciplinary training in human-environment research, excels in a team environment, and has strong geospatial skill sets to play a pivotal role in advancing human-environmental systems research within our project team. We anticipate the appointee will specialize in developing and applying models to understand the complex interactions between human activities and the environment. This person will have excellent communication and data management skills, with existing multi-language expertise for data analytics (R and Python being strongly favored). Specific research areas of interest may include (but are not limited to) multi-scalar remote sensing and machine learning, sociodemographic modeling, human mobility and land change, and natural disaster risk assessment. It is a broad range of underlying interests but the appointee will have an opportunity to engage in a variety of different ongoing, interdisciplinary projects that involve collaborations across local and global scales. There will be an expectation that the successful applicant will further develop their own existing research portfolio by leading manuscripts and grant writing. The position is based in the Department of Geographic & Environmental Sciences at the University of Louisville but will involve substantial collaboration and engagement with partner institutions on different projects. Remote, off-campus applicants may be considered if exceptionally qualified but in person is preferred. By joining our vibrant and well-connected interdisciplinary team the candidate will have opportunities to lead career-changing, high-impact publications for the project, mentor graduate and undergraduate students on the project, and develop critical networking connections across a diverse range of institutions involved in the research. This position reports to Dr. Andrea Gaughan, Professor in the Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences and Associate Dean of Research in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisville. The position starting date is July 1, 2025 for a period of 12 months with the possibility of extending the position based on performance. This full‐time position offers salary and employee benefits in accordance with University of Louisville policy. Informal enquiries may be made to Dr. Gaughan (ae.gaughan@louisville.edu).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Preparation and submission of peer review manuscripts
• Engage in project and lab meetings
• Conduct independent research
• Contribute to research design and development of projects
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Present scientific findings at scientific conferences

Minimum Qualifications :

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a quantitative discipline (e.g., geography, computational social science, quantitative ecology, computer science). Experience in complementary disciplines (e.g., land systems science, ecological economics, human ecology) will also be considered.

Preferred Qualifications :

Given the broad scope of potential research engagement, the following specific set of criteria will be considered ideal:

• Interdisciplinary training and systems-thinking
• Training or knowledge in mixed method approaches
• Effective communication skills and enjoys working in a team environment
• Scientific writing skills demonstrated through peer reviewed publications.
• Ability to manage, create, and organize reproducible datasets
• Strong project and time management skills.

Competencies :

• Project Management – the ability to work across different projects while remaining organized and task‐oriented.
• Initiative – the ability to anticipate and coordinate with others regarding opportunities, project challenges, or project deliverables as they occur.
• Innovation – the ability to analyze and manage different data types.
• Adaptability - the ability to deal with changing role responsibilities and to support other team members as needed.
• Time management – the ability to manage time efficiently and effectively by prioritizing tasks.
• Communication – the ability to build and maintain effective, viable relationships with researchers and colleagues.

Physical Requirements :

Requires working in a typical office environment with sitting and regular use of a computer, the ability to see, hear and use office equipment. May require occasional local field work and travel for meetings and conferences.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of individuals in this job. Other duties may be assigned as determined by management. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status.

If you require assistance or accommodation with our application process due to an impairment or disability, please email the contact listed above directly, or reach out to the Employment team at employment@louisville.edu or 502.852.6258. Assistance and Accommodations Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 215 Central Avenue, Ste 205 - Louisville, Kentucky 40208.

About the University of Louisville In 2023, the University of Louisville celebrates its quasquicentennial, the 225th anniversary of the 1798 beginnings of higher education in Louisville. One of the nation’s first city-owned, public universities, UofL today is a vital ecosystem that creates thriving futures for students, our community and society. As one of only 79 universities in the United States to earn recognition by the Carnegie Foundation as both a Research 1 and a Community Engaged university, we impact lives in areas of student success and research and innovation, while our dynamic connection with our local and global communities provides unparalleled opportunities for students and citizens both. The university serves as an engine that powers Metro Louisville and the commonwealth and as a classroom for UofL’s more than 23,000 students, who benefit from partnerships with top employers and a wide range of community service opportunities. To learn more, visit louisville.edu. The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a member of the Kentucky state university system.

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