A 2-year full time postdoctoral research position is available at the Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Canada. The primary responsibility of the postdoc will be to develop a dynamic, non-linear socio-metabolic model. This model aims to comprehend and analyze socio-metabolic risks and tipping points related to resource-use patterns and consumption behaviors on small islands. This model will be both generic and adaptable to specific island cases, and potentially serve as an interactive web-based tool. The socio-metabolic model will aim to pinpoint feedback mechanisms across compartments, system vulnerabilities, path dependencies, lock-in and cascade effects, system volatility and impacts from potential shocks and disruptions in resource supply chains.
The successful candidate will be a key project collaborator with the project team at the Univ. of Waterloo and partners internationally. In addition to the socio-metabolic model development and testing, the postdoc will contribute as lead or co-author on research publications. There will also be opportunities to present co-authored research at national or international conferences in Year 2 and to co-supervise graduate students recruited for socio-metabolic risk assessment and modelling. Teaching opportunities may also become available.
Candidates for this position must have a doctoral degree in engineering, environmental studies/science, geography, or related disciplines with expertise in resource and/or risk modelling of socio-ecological systems. Candidates must be proficient in System Dynamics Modeling and related state-of-the art tools and software, and a demonstrable interest in addressing/analyzing social-environmental real-world problems from a systems perspective. Additional knowledge of one or more of the following techniques/methods will be an asset: Geographic Information System (GIS), Agent-Based Modeling (ABM), Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA).
The postdoc position is for 2 years, full time, with a gross salary range of CAD$ 45,000 – 50,000 per year, inclusive of all benefits. The work location is the University of Waterloo, with work-from-home option of 1-2 days a week. The postdoc must be resident of Ontario (Canada) during the period of employment. Position is open until filled. The start date of the position is negotiable. To apply, please send cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications, experience, and motivation, along with a full CV, as a single PDF file to: simron.singh@uwaterloo.ca