Post-Doctoral Associate in Social Sciences – University of Colorado Boulder

Research Opportunity: Post-Doctoral Associate in Social Sciences – University of Colorado Boulder

• Institution: University of Colorado Boulder

• Host Unit: Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES)

• Research Centre: North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC)

• Requisition Number: 75134

• Position: Post-Doctoral Associate in Social Sciences

• Employment Type: Full-Time Research Faculty

• Contract Duration: 21 Months

• Work Mode: Hybrid

• Salary / Remuneration: Approximately INR 62.94 lakh – INR 67.78 lakh annually

• Location: Boulder, Colorado, United States

• Application Deadline: October 15, 2026

• Expected Start Date: November 1, 2026

Overview of Role

The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in Social Sciences.

The researcher will contribute to a U.S. Geological Survey-funded project focused on climate resilience and preparedness planning for recreation and other economically important sectors in Colorado. The work will assess the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of Colorado State Parks and Wildlife Areas and support climate-resilience planning for relevant state agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate with project leadership and partners on:

  • Interview protocols

  • Survey protocols

  • Scenario planning

  • Project logistics

• Conduct ethnographic research at selected Colorado State Parks.

• Conduct in-person and remote semi-structured interviews with State Park and Wildlife Area managers.

• Analyse interview transcripts using deductive and inductive coding.

• Identify climate sensitivities and assess adaptive capacity.

• Develop and distribute survey instruments.

• Analyse survey results.

• Lead development of written and oral communication outputs.

• Support an adaptation-planning workshop for Colorado State Parks and Wildlife Area staff.

• Contribute to other project activities as required.

Research Focus

The project addresses themes including:

• Climate Change Adaptation

• Outdoor Recreation

• Public Land Management

• Natural Resource Management

• Climate Resilience

• Adaptive Capacity

• Ethnographic Research

• Interviews and Surveys

• Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

• Science Translation

• Decision-Making for Resource Managers

Qualifications & Candidate Profile

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a Social Science discipline such as:

  • Anthropology

  • Geography

  • Sociology

  • Related field

• All Ph.D. requirements, including defence and thesis revisions, must be completed by November 1, 2026.

• At least 1 year of experience conducting:

  • Ethnographic research

  • Interviews

  • Surveys

• Graduate-school research experience may count.

• Valid driver’s licence.

• Ability to maintain insurable status under the organisation’s vehicle insurance policy.

Preferred Skills & Experience

Applicants should ideally demonstrate:

• Experience applying social-science methods to natural-resource or conservation questions.

• Qualitative and quantitative data-analysis skills.

• Strong written and oral communication.

• Interest or experience working with natural-resource managers.

• Understanding of climate science.

• Familiarity with public-land and outdoor-recreation management.

• Science-translation experience for decision-makers.

• Ability to produce visual or graphical research outputs.

• Meeting or workshop facilitation skills.

• Strong collaboration, organisation, and problem-solving abilities.

Nature of Appointment

• Full-time, 40 hours per week

• 21-month appointment

• Potential extension subject to funding

• Hybrid working arrangement

• Candidate must be based in the Boulder or Denver area

• Approximately four field trips involving overnight travel within Colorado are expected

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Application Checklist

Applicants should submit:

1. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

2. Cover Letter – maximum 2 pages, addressing:

   • Fit with the position

   • Relevant goals, skills, and experience

   • Contribution to organisational culture and values

3. Contact Information for Three References

Recommendation letters are not required initially and will be requested only from finalists.

Application Process

• Requisition Number: 75134

• Application Deadline: October 15, 2026

• Expected Start Date: November 1, 2026

• Applications must be submitted through the CU Boulder Jobs portal.

• Posting Contact: Christy Miller Hesed

• Email: christine.hesed@colorado.edu

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