Postdoctoral Scholar in Integrated Socio-environmental Dynamics of Wildlife Management at BU

Position Overview
The Department of Earth and Environment at Boston University (BU) invites applications for a
postdoctoral scholar to collaborate on an NSF CNH2 project examining the integrated socio-
environmental dynamics of deer management in suburban and urban areas of the northeastern United
States. The postdoctoral scholar will conduct research on the institutions that shape suburban and urban
deer management in the northeastern United States. This is an exciting opportunity for an environmental
social scientist to engage in convergent research at the intersections of institutional change and wildlife
management.

The postdoctoral scholar will be mentored by Anne Short Gianotti at BU and have the opportunity to
collaborate with an interdisciplinary team at multiple institutions. The position is based in Boston and will
require a substantial amount of fieldwork in upstate New York and eastern Massachusetts.

Project Background and Job Description

The growth and overabundance of many animal populations in suburban and urban environments poses
novel challenges and draws new actors into wildlife management. This research project investigates the
integrated socio-environmental dynamics of overabundant wildlife with particular attention to the ways
that wildlife management institutions emerge and how management institutions interact and shape human
and ecological outcomes. We do so through a multi-scale, mixed methods study of shifting management
and populations of white tailed deer in Massachusetts and New York State. The research team includes
human-environment geographers, wildlife ecologists, and ecological modelers.

The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to all social science research activities and help to integrate
human and ecological research activities. Specific responsibilities include conducting and analyzing
interviews and focus groups with residents, government employees, and hunters; overseeing the
development, administration, and analysis of a resident mail survey; and helping with the coordination of
research activities across the entire research team. The postdoctoral scholar will collaborate with mentors
to publish results in high-impact journals and to engage in public outreach that will extend the impact of
our scholarship beyond the academy.

Desired Qualifications
Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in an environmental social science field, have experience conducting
mixed methods research, and have interest in convergent research. We encourage applications from
scholars from diverse disciplinary traditions including (but not limited to) institutions and the
environment, more-than-human geographies, political ecology, land change science, and integrated socio-
environmental systems.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Exceptional research, writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience with interviews, focus groups, and surveys
• Competency with geo-spatial and statistical analysis, or the ability to rapidly learn GIS and new
data analysis techniques
• Ability to work manage multiple responsibilities and work both independently and as part of a
team
• A valid US driver’s license
Salary and Appointment Terms
The position carries an annual salary of $55,000-59,000 plus benefits provided through Boston
University. The initial appointment will be for one year, with potential for re-appointment for an
additional 18 months. The preferred start date for the position is between May 1 and June 1, 2020.

How to Apply
Candidates must hold or expect to hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field at the time of appointment. To apply,
please submit your curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and experience (no longer than 2
pages), pdf of one or two relevant publications, and names and contact information for two references to
Anne Short Gianotti <agshort@bu.edu>

Review of applications will begin in March 23, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity
We encourage applications from scholars who are underrepresented in socio-environmental research and
the profession more broadly. The project research team and the Department of Earth and Environment
affirm the importance of diversity in research and practice. To learn more, please read the EE department
statement on diversity and inclusion and peruse the BU diversity website.