Food, Climate and Biodiversity Decision Analyst

The University of British Columbia is seeking a part-time Food, Climate and Biodiversity Decision Analyst for the Conservation Decisions Lab. The role involves analyzing trade-offs between food security and biodiversity using decision science methodologies. The position, starting June 1, 2025, offers a salary of $72,000 annually and is hybrid, requiring work on the UBC Point Grey campus. A PhD in a related field and experience in decision analysis are required.
Academic

Job Category
Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title
Food, Climate and Biodiversity Decision Analyst

Department
Research | Tara Martin Lab | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences | Faculty of Forestry (Tara Martin)

Posting End Date
May 22, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date
May 31, 2026

Salary for a full time position is $90,000 annual. Pro-rated part time at 80% is $72,000 annual.

Position Description

The Conservation Decisions Lab in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences (Faculty of Forestry, Vancouver Campus, The University of British Columbia) invites applications for a Research Associate, in the role of "Food, Climate and Biodiversity Decision Analyst". The part-time position will start on June 1, 2025. The expected salary is $72,000 per year. This is a hybrid position working on the UBC Point Grey (Vancouver) campus.

Job summary

The candidate will explore the various trade-offs than ensue when trying to maximize Food security and Biodiversity conservation in the context of global change using Decision science methodologies. The candidate will work to integrate decision science into the FCB case studies to identify sets of priority cost-effective strategies for achieving Food, Climate and Biodiversity goals.

Organizational Status
The candidate will report to Dr Tara Martin, Conservation Decisions Team, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences. The candidate will work closely with the food-climate-biodiversity (FCB) solutions Nexus team housed within the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, UBC. Along with Solving FCB partnership case study leads.

Work Performed
The candidate will lead the development of a synthesis paper on using decision science to explore trade-offs between food security and biodiversity conservation under global change.
The candidate will work with FCB case study leads to understand each case study and explore the synergies between case studies with respect to the identification and prioritization of cost-effective actions for achieving biodiversity and food security goals. In doing so, the candidate will develop several journal publications and associated resource material as decided upon in collaboration FCB team.

Consequence of Error
It is expected that the candidate will lead the decision analysis in collaboration with Dr Tara Martin and other from the FCB team. Any issues that may arise will be dealt with in collaboration with Dr Tara Martin.

Supervision Received

The candidate will report to Dr Tara Martin. It is expected that the candidate is able to work independently and lead the decision analysis.

Supervision Given

The candidate will provide mentoring to PhD and Masters students working on the project.

Minimum Qualifications
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.(EDI) Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• PhD in Ecology or Conservation related field
• 2-3 years experience in the application of decision analysis to environmental issues

Preferred Qualifications
• Track record of high quality collaborations and resulting outputs (journal papers, science communication materials
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to work well in interdisciplinary teams