Postdoctoral Researcher – Climate Change and Patterns Human Settlements

The University of Victoria is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for a project on climate change and human settlements. The role involves assessing the impacts of climate change on peri-urban landscapes, contributing to research papers, and developing methodologies for environmental and socio-economic assessments. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a related field and experience in spatial analysis or climate modeling. The position is based in Victoria, BC, Canada.
Postdoctoral Researcher Position

Title: Postdoctoral Researcher – Climate Change and Patterns Human Settlements

Host Institution: University of Victoria, Department of Biology

Project Partner: United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA)

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our interdisciplinary team. The researcher will assess how climate change can amplify trade-offs between human welfare and natural system integrity in peri-urban landscapes. The successful candidate will contribute to multiple research papers and help develop methodologies for assessing environmental and socio-economic changes in these urbanizing landscapes.

Background:

With the recent development of the DEGURBA approach to classifying human settlements into Rural, Urban, and the new 'semi-dense' category, there is an increasing awareness of the novel role these intermediary settlements play in shaping both human communities and natural ecosystems. Semi-dense settlements are characterised by a mixture of wild and settled spaces, with human populations interacting more strongly with the ecosystems they are surrounded by. Increasingly, global aid organizations and national health agencies are aware that these spaces often have different population health characteristics than either rural or urban environments, due in part to the closer proximity of nature and combined with the influences of cities. At the same time, climate change is intensifying pressures from climate migrants, increasing water scarcity, and exacerbating heatwaves. These factors influence local biodiversity and ecosystem services while also placing significant strain on health systems in these areas. To support a new perspective on decision-making around the trade-offs between ecosystem and human health priorities, our research aims to bridge knowledge gaps in these interactions, developing insights to support sustainable urban planning and environmental management.

Research Objectives:

● Use Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) population density data and satellite-derived data to explore interactions between human populations and natural ecosystems.

● Investigate the interactions between climate change, semi-dense settlements, and surrounding ecosystems.

● Develop methodologies for assessing climate-driven environmental and population health changes.

● Draft manuscripts for publication in high-impact peer-reviewed journals such as Global Environmental Change, Environmental Research Letters, and Urban Climate.

Qualifications:

● Ph.D. in environmental science, urban planning, geography, or a related field.

● Experience with Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) is beneficial, as well as expertise in spatial analysis, remote sensing, or climate impact modeling.

● Strong quantitative skills are a plus, including statistical and GIS applications.

● Demonstrated ability to conduct interdisciplinary research and work collaboratively.

● Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.

● Familiarity with policy implications of climate change and urbanization is an asset.

Research Environment:

The postdoc will work closely with the UVic project team, collaborating with researchers, policymakers, and community stakeholders. The position offers opportunities for engagement with international networks on global population health.

Appointment Details:

● Duration: 6 months.

● Start Date: ASAP

● Location: University of Victoria, Department of Biology

● Salary: equivalent of $70,000 per year including ~10% benefits

Application Process:

Applicants should submit the following materials as a single PDF document to amandabates (at) uvic.ca & tomasbird (at) gmail.com.

● A cover letter outlining motivation, relevant experience, and fit for the position.

● A CV, including a list of publications.

● Contact details for three references.

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

We strongly encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racially visible persons, women, and candidates from underrepresented groups in environmental and urban sciences.

For inquiries, please contact Amanda Bates and Tomas Bird at the contact emails above.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $64,000.00 per year

Schedule:
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person