Suisum Marsh Phragmites study now recruiting a social science post-doc for 2022-24
Photo credit: CDFW
Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Environmental/Natural Resource Social Science
Social-ecological management of invasive plants in Suisun Marsh, CA
Human Dimensions Lab, Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Postdoc adviser: Zhao Ma
Overview: We are seeking one postdoctoral research associate to join a project team that is focused on integrating social and ecological research to improve the control of invasive species, specifically invasive Phragmites australis, in Suisun Marsh in the San Francisco Bay Delta. The project team includes social and biophysical scientists who will collaboratively design and execute work aimed at testing alternative methods of Phragmites control, investigating social-cultural barriers to participation in Phragmites management, prioritizing areas to target for control, and synthesizing a regional action plan for further coordinated action. Specifically, the postdoc will:
This position is part of a research project supported by a Delta Stewardship Council grant in collaboration with Dr. John Takekawa (Suisun Resource Conservation District), Dr. Virginia Matzek (Santa Clara U.), Dr. Karin Kettenring (Utah State U.), and Dr. Richelle Tanner (Chapman U.). The overall project will have a total of three post-docs, including this position. This position is for two years, given satisfactory progress in the first year. This position will be flexibly co-located between Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN; with Dr. Zhao Ma) and Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA; with Dr. Virginia Matzek). Purdue will be the primary locus and SCU will be the local host for onsite studies fieldwork. We offer an annual salary of $53,000 plus excellent health and retirement benefits. We will provide funds to cover travel expenses to research sites and conferences and opportunities for professional development. Preferred start date is March 2022.
Required qualifications: (1) A PhD in environmental/natural resource/conservation social science, human geography, environmental psychology, or other relevant social science discipline(s)/field(s) by the start date; (2) Experience in collecting and analyzing both qualitative (from interviews, focus groups, workshops, etc.) and quantitative data (from surveys etc.); (3) A strong interest in and commitment to interdisciplinary research; (4) Willingness and ability to travel to conduct fieldwork for an extended period of time (1+ months); (5) Good oral communication and writing skills; (6) Willingness and ability to lead efforts and be an effective team member.
Preferred qualifications: Familiarity and/or experience with (1) research on landowner decision-making; (2) research on invasive plant management; (3) geospatial analysis of social science data; (4) collaboration in an interdisciplinary team.
To apply: Please submit the following in a single PDF file to Dr. Zhao Ma ([email protected]) via email: (1) cover letter describing your relevant experience and scholarly interests; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) two examples of relevant publications or writing samples; and (4) contact information of three references. Please use the following subject for your email “Phragmites social science postdoc application_First Name Last Name.” Review of applications will start on February 1, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Women and minoritized individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Purdue is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. For more information, contact Dr. Zhao Ma ([email protected]) or visit https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/sites/ma/.
The locations: West Lafayette-Lafayette, IN is home to 174,000 residents and is located between Indianapolis, IN (one hour south) and Chicago, IL (two hours north). The community is diverse with good schools, safe neighborhoods, over 40 parks and extensive trail systems, active Farmers Markets, and year-long community festivals and art events. Travel to the research site in CA will occur approximately 3-4 times a year and SCU will serve as local host for fieldwork, which will occur in Suisun Marsh, the largest brackish wetland on the West Coast of North America.
Social-ecological management of invasive plants in Suisun Marsh, CA
Human Dimensions Lab, Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Postdoc adviser: Zhao Ma
Overview: We are seeking one postdoctoral research associate to join a project team that is focused on integrating social and ecological research to improve the control of invasive species, specifically invasive Phragmites australis, in Suisun Marsh in the San Francisco Bay Delta. The project team includes social and biophysical scientists who will collaboratively design and execute work aimed at testing alternative methods of Phragmites control, investigating social-cultural barriers to participation in Phragmites management, prioritizing areas to target for control, and synthesizing a regional action plan for further coordinated action. Specifically, the postdoc will:
- co-lead a social science study to develop a comprehensive understanding of public and private landowners’ perceptions of invasive Phragmites spread and control in Suisun Marsh and to identify and assess various opportunities for and barriers to promoting collective actions across different types of landowners in the area.
- collaborate on other projects components related to organizing focus groups with policy makers and resource management professionals in the area, developing communication strategies for increasing landowner engagement in collective actions, and developing a spatial prioritization model to facilitate Phragmites management over large scales and with diverse landowners.
This position is part of a research project supported by a Delta Stewardship Council grant in collaboration with Dr. John Takekawa (Suisun Resource Conservation District), Dr. Virginia Matzek (Santa Clara U.), Dr. Karin Kettenring (Utah State U.), and Dr. Richelle Tanner (Chapman U.). The overall project will have a total of three post-docs, including this position. This position is for two years, given satisfactory progress in the first year. This position will be flexibly co-located between Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN; with Dr. Zhao Ma) and Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA; with Dr. Virginia Matzek). Purdue will be the primary locus and SCU will be the local host for onsite studies fieldwork. We offer an annual salary of $53,000 plus excellent health and retirement benefits. We will provide funds to cover travel expenses to research sites and conferences and opportunities for professional development. Preferred start date is March 2022.
Required qualifications: (1) A PhD in environmental/natural resource/conservation social science, human geography, environmental psychology, or other relevant social science discipline(s)/field(s) by the start date; (2) Experience in collecting and analyzing both qualitative (from interviews, focus groups, workshops, etc.) and quantitative data (from surveys etc.); (3) A strong interest in and commitment to interdisciplinary research; (4) Willingness and ability to travel to conduct fieldwork for an extended period of time (1+ months); (5) Good oral communication and writing skills; (6) Willingness and ability to lead efforts and be an effective team member.
Preferred qualifications: Familiarity and/or experience with (1) research on landowner decision-making; (2) research on invasive plant management; (3) geospatial analysis of social science data; (4) collaboration in an interdisciplinary team.
To apply: Please submit the following in a single PDF file to Dr. Zhao Ma ([email protected]) via email: (1) cover letter describing your relevant experience and scholarly interests; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) two examples of relevant publications or writing samples; and (4) contact information of three references. Please use the following subject for your email “Phragmites social science postdoc application_First Name Last Name.” Review of applications will start on February 1, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. Women and minoritized individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Purdue is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. For more information, contact Dr. Zhao Ma ([email protected]) or visit https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/sites/ma/.
The locations: West Lafayette-Lafayette, IN is home to 174,000 residents and is located between Indianapolis, IN (one hour south) and Chicago, IL (two hours north). The community is diverse with good schools, safe neighborhoods, over 40 parks and extensive trail systems, active Farmers Markets, and year-long community festivals and art events. Travel to the research site in CA will occur approximately 3-4 times a year and SCU will serve as local host for fieldwork, which will occur in Suisun Marsh, the largest brackish wetland on the West Coast of North America.
