Deadline: October 31, 2018
The Earth Institute Postdoctoral Research Program in Sustainable Development is now seeking applications from innovative doctoral candidates or recent Ph.D., M.D., J.D. or Sc.D. recipients who are interested in a broad range of issues in sustainable development to join its fall 2019 cohort. The Earth Institute Postdoctoral Research program is the premier program in the world for those dedicated to a better understanding of critical scientific and social issues in global sustainable development.
The program provides innovative postdoctoral scholars with the opportunity to build a foundation in one of the core disciplines represented within the Earth Institute (i.e. social, earth, biological, engineering, and health sciences), while at the same time acquiring the breadth of cross-disciplinary expertise needed to address critical issues related to sustainable development. Specific areas of research include food security, energy systems, climate change impacts, poverty reduction, disease, and environmental degradation. The program offers a unique intellectual surrounding that fosters cross-disciplinary interaction, research and education.
Earth Institute Postdoctoral Researchers will join multidisciplinary teams of outstanding, committed scientists from across the Earth Institute and Columbia University. EI Postdocs are appointed for twenty-four months and appointments typically begin September 1. However, depending on individual circumstances, as well as the needs of a postdoc’s host research unit, appointments may begin as early as July 1
Benefits
- Funding: EI Postdocs will receive an annual salary of $65,560. They are also awarded a research stipend of $12,000 over the two-year term for reimbursable expenses related to the appointment. These funds can be used for relocation and moving expenses, as well as for computer, travel, conference, journal, book, software, equipment, and other research costs.
- External Funding: EI Postdocs are encouraged to participate in the development and submission of research proposals in cooperation with their mentors, host research units, or other researchers. When doing so, they must follow all Columbia University rules applicable to postdoctoral scholars.
- EI Postdocs are considered Officers of Research and are eligible for benefits provided by Columbia University for full-time employees.
- Visas: Columbia University only grants limited-term J1 visas for non-US citizens.
- Housing: The Earth Institute does not provide housing allocation for postdoctoral researchers.
Program Activities
The program hosts a series of activities that explore interdisciplinary issues in sustainable development, bring the postdocs together as a community, and introduce the postdocs to a diverse array of Columbia faculty and researchers.
- Orientation: A weeklong series of information sessions and visits to Earth Institute research units.
- Spring and Fall Symposia: Two public symposia per year in which both first-year and second-year postdocs present their research and participate in discussions with the audience. The symposia provided a great opportunity for postdocs to engage the Columbia research community as well as the larger public in innovative research in sustainable development.
- Earth Institute Postdoctoral Seminars: A weekly seminar series in which each postdoc presents her or his ongoing research. Visiting speakers also participate in the seminars. Postdocs may also coordinate group projects that are designed, discussed and implemented during these times. The meetings are informal and designed to foster interdisciplinary and problem-solving discussions among EI Postdocs, faculty and researchers. Lunch is provided. Two second-year EI Postdocs coordinate the seminars each year.
- Earth Institute Postdoctoral Retreats and Special Events: Special outings to unique locations in the New York City area that seek to create a sense of community among the postdocs, to connect them to New York, and to provide intellectual stimuli.
- Other Earth Institute Seminar Series: EI Postdocs receive invitations to other events and speaker series at Columbia, including those sponsored by the Earth Institute’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC), Earth Engineering Center (EEC), Center for Global Health and Economic Development (CGHED), Center for Globalization and Sustainable Development (CGSD), Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), and Center for Hazards and Risk Research (CHRR).
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program,
- Candidates must have received their doctoral degrees (Ph.D., M.D. or J.D.) within five years prior to the start of the appointment.
- All doctoral requirements must be fulfilled and the degree awarded before the start of the appointment.
- People holding current positions with rank above post-doctoral scientist are not eligible for appointment under university rules.
- Those holding current post-doc positions should contact their office to determine eligibility.
- The program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.
- Columbia University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
Application
- Application Opens: August 27, 2018
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2018 by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
- Reference Letter Deadline: November 9, 2018 by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
To apply to the program candidates must submit the following documents:
- Online Application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Brief Personal History
- Research Proposal
- 3 Recommendation Letters
In addition to submitting the application and proposal, applicants are encouraged, but not required, to contact their desired multidisciplinary mentoring team, i.e. two or more senior faculty members or research scientists/scholars at Columbia University with whom they would like to work during their appointment. Please note that an endorsement from a faculty member or researcher does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Click here to learn how to apply.
For more information, visit Earth Institute.
