Postdoctoral Research Associate

EEO Statement: 

UNMC is an Affirmative Action Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, including an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Location Omaha, NE

Requisition Number: 2024 – 375

Department COPH Environ, Agri & Occ Health 50005427

Business Unit(College/Institute) College of Public Health

FTE: 

100

Reg-Temp Full-Time Regular

Work Schedule M-F, Flexible

Requisition Category Research – Academic

Requisition Title Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title/Academic Rank Postdoctoral Research Associate

Additional Requisition Title 

Appointment Type A1 – REG OTHER ACAD SAL

Salary Range Salary Commensurate with Experience

Job/EEO Category Professional Non-Faculty (Includes Other Academic)

Job Requisition Begin Date 10/18/2024

Position Summary 

The Water, Climate, and Health Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual interested in joining our interdisciplinary team to explore the impacts of climate on human health. The successful candidate will work on innovative research and engagement projects that explore the connections between climate and health.

The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers from various academic institutions and governmental agencies, including the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, as well as national and international partners.

In addition to helping with climate and health studies funded by NOAA, CDC, and NASA, the postdoctoral researcher will have an opportunity to participate in the newly formed NIST Climate Measurements Center of Excellence. They will assist with leading sectoral working groups to conduct formal gap analyses, solicit input from stakeholder groups, and lead the development of new methodologies for climate impact measurement. The project will focus on refining and standardizing metrics that span economic, social, and ecological system.

Our objective is to ensure that assessments at the state and subnational levels are robust, transdisciplinary, and capable of informing local and regional decision-making. This includes building capacity among stakeholders to apply the tools and methods developed and contributing to the establishment of national standards for climate risk and adaptation metrics.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead and assist with climate and health studies.
2. Conduct gap analyses within the health sectors to identify measurement needs and missing information critical for climate assessments.
3. Develop and refine metrics for climate impacts and adaptation strategies, ensuring that these methods are standardized across different sectors and states.
4. Support capacity-building efforts by developing resources and training for stakeholder groups to apply climate impact tools and methods effectively.
5. Disseminate research findings through conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and engagement with expert communities.
6. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure a holistic approach to climate impact analysis and the development of standardized methods for local and national application.

Qualifications

1. PhD in a relevant field such as climatology, environmental science, data science, public health, or a closely related discipline.
2. Background in data analysis, integration of interdisciplinary datasets, and climate metrics development, is preferred.
3. Experience in climate impact assessment, particularly in the health sector, is preferred.
4. Knowledge of statistical methods, programming (e.g., Python, R), and data quality assurance techniques.
5. Proven ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment and engage with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
6. Strong communication skills, with experience presenting research at conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
7. Interest in transdisciplinary research that bridges the gap between scientific methods and real-world decision-making processes.
8. Self-motivated and able to work independently.

Desired Skills

1. Familiarity with state or subnational climate assessment processes.
2. Experience with social and biophysical datasets
3. Ability to contribute to capacity-building efforts for non-experts, including the development of training materials and resources.

Required Qualifications 

1. PhD in a relevant field such as climatology, environmental science, data science, public health, or a closely related discipline.
2. Background in data analysis, integration of interdisciplinary datasets, and climate metrics development, is preferred.
3. Experience in climate impact assessment, particularly in the health sector, is preferred.
4. Knowledge of statistical methods, programming (e.g., Python, R), and data quality assurance techniques.
5. Proven ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment and engage with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
6. Strong communication skills, with experience presenting research at conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
7. Interest in transdisciplinary research that bridges the gap between scientific methods and real-world decision-making processes.
8. Self-motivated and able to work independently.

Supplemental Qualifications 

1. Familiarity with state or subnational climate assessment processes.
2. Experience with social and biophysical datasets.
3. Ability to contribute to capacity-building efforts for non-experts, including the development of training materials and resources.

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the Environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Office environment

Other working environment 

NA

Bending, stooping, twisting Occasionally

Crawling Occasionally

Driving Occasionally

Kneeling Occasionally

Reaching Occasionally

Sitting Over 5 hours

Standing Occasionally

Squatting Occasionally

Walking Occasionally

Atmospheric No

Blood/body fluids No

Chemical hazards No

Working on or around moving machinery No

Electrical current No

Noise No

Changes of temperature/humidity No

Wear PPE No

Work with laboratory animals No

Radiation 

Operating hand/power tools No

If you answered yes to any area above, please explain 

NA

Fine Manipulation NA

Repetitive Motion NA

Grasping NA

If you selected any area above, please explain 

NA

Describe any other aspects and demands of the job not listed in this description.

NA

EEO Statement 

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work and learning environment free from discrimination and harassment. UNMC is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and included. UNMC does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNMC complies with all local, state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination, including Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. 

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