Postdoctoral Researcher in Climate Adaptation
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN
ORNL11-54-ESD
Project Description:
The Environmental Sciences Division (ESD), http://www.esd.ornl.gov at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), http://www.ornl.gov has an immediate opening for a postdoctoral researcher to support an research project involving the incorporation of adaptation within a regional climate change integrated assessment model (IAM) framework.
The position is funded by a five-year project entitled “Developing a Regional Integrated Assessment Model Framework” (Biological and Environmental Research, Office of Science, Department of Energy). The project is led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Joint Global Change Research Institute, with principle investigators at both ORNL and PNNL. This project is also part of the portfolio of research activity within the Oak Ridge Climate Change Science Institute (ORCCSI). As such, the candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to other ORCCSI projects in which issues of adaptation and/or integrated assessment feature prominently.
Annual salary will be commensurate experience. The position will be based at ORCCSI in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. All travel expenses are provided. The position is for two years with the possibility of extending for up to three years.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be instrumental in developing methods and tools for modeling adaptive responses to climate change within a regional climate change integrated assessment model. This will include the design of an internally consistent framework for representing a range of scenarios of adaptation as well as the development of methods for operationalizing these scenarios within the various model components. The objectives of this work are to break new ground in representing adaptation processes complementary to, or within climate and integrated assessment models. Specific approaches to be explored include the evaluation of the costs and benefits of adaptation, identification of conditions associated with adaptive capacity, representation of the evolution of adaptive capacity as a function of different socioeconomic development pathways, the assessment of potential trade-offs between adaptation and greenhouse gas mitigation, and the analysis of the role of model uncertainty on adaptation decision-making.
Although the position will be based at ORNL, the successful candidate will be expected to work in close collaboration with research teams at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s sites in Richland, Washington and College Park, Maryland.
Qualifications:
A PhD in Engineering, Statistics, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, or Social Sciences is preferred, but the successful candidate will have a commitment to working within an inter-disciplinary research team. Familiarity with adaptation concepts and integrated assessment modeling is required and strong preference will be given to candidates with experience relevant to analysis of adaptation at the water, land, energy nexus.
Applicants should have received their most recent degree within five years of the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment.
How to Apply:
Qualified applicants must apply online at https://www2.orau.gov/ORNL_POST/. All applicants will need to register before they can begin the online application. For complete instructions, on how to apply, please see the instructions at http://www.orau.gov/orise/edu/ornl/ornl-pdpm/application.htm.
This appointment is offered through the ORNL Postgraduate Research Participation Program and is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). The program is open to all qualified U.S. and non-U.S. citizens without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or disabled veteran.