Post-Doctoral Fellow in Climate Migration

Department:

Yale Center for Environmental Justice (YCEJ), Yale School of the Environment

Location:

New Haven, CT (In residence would be preferred, some hybrid negotiable)

Position Type:

Full-Time, 1-Year Fixed Term with possibility of extension to 2 years.

Start Date:

Fall 2024

Salary:

$68,000

Application Deadline:

July 31, 2024 or until filled

Position Summary:

The Yale Center for Environmental Justice (YCEJ) invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Climate Migration. This position is part of an interdisciplinary research project titled “The Science, Policies, and Ethics of Climate Migration: Disrupting the Negative Feedbacks Between Climate and Migration Politics.” The project aims to mitigate the negative political feedback loops between climate change and migration by generating research that informs policy and bolsters the resilience of migrant-receiving communities.

The Post-Doc will work closely with the project’s leaders: Professors Maya Prabhu (Yale Medical School), Gerald Torres (Yale Law and Environment), Dr. Michel Gelobter (YCEJ’s Executive Director), and Daniel Wilkinson (lecturer in the Jackson School and former Americas Director for Human Rights Watch).

Key Responsibilities:

  • Research Coordination: Coordinate and contribute to developing three to five case studies examining the attribution of different types of migration to climate change and the effectiveness of local and international policies in addressing climate-induced migration. These case studies will be developed with students as the primary product of a year-long multi-disciplinary seminar starting in Spring 2025.

  • Seminar Support: Support the design and teaching of a year-long interdisciplinary seminar (Spring-Fall 2025), engaging students from various disciplines, including climate attribution science, climate adaptation and resilience policy, international climate finance, and migration policy.

  • Field Work: Oversee and participate in field research in climate migrant communities, including data collection and analysis, focusing on both quantitative and qualitative aspects of climate migration.

  • Publication Development: Contribute to developing whitepapers, peer-reviewed publications, and policy briefs based on research findings. Coordinate with faculty and students to ensure timely and impactful dissemination of research outputs.

  • Expert Roundtable Coordination: Assist in organizing and managing engagements with a multidisciplinary expert advisory roundtable, including at least one in-person convening at Yale.

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate briefings with foundations, multilateral organizations, and individual donors interested in the intersection of climate change and migration. Promote the project’s findings through academic and public forums.

Qualifications:

  • Education: A Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Environmental Science, Climate Science, Migration Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Law, or a related discipline.

  • Experience: Demonstrated expertise in climate migration, including a strong research background with experience in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with a strong preference for attribution science expertise.

  • Skills: Excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team. Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with relevant software tools.

  • Commitment: A strong commitment to environmental justice, human rights, and interdisciplinary research.

Application Requirements:

  • Brief cover letter outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience. 

  • A one-page summary of the “state of the field” for attributing migration to climate change (citations can be on a 2nd page)

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV).

  • A writing sample (e.g., a published paper or dissertation chapter).

  • Contact information for three professional references.

Application Submission:

Please submit your application materials to YCEJ Program Manager, Kristin Barendregt-Ludwig (kristin.barendregt-ludwig@yale.edu) by July 31, 2024. For inquiries about the position, please contact YCEJ Executive Director, Michel Gelobter (michel.gelobter@yale.edu). 

About YCEJ:

The Yale Center for Environmental Justice (YCEJ) is dedicated to advancing research, education, and action on environmental and climate justice. The Center brings together scholars, practitioners, and students to address the most pressing environmental challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions.

 

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