Two postdocs in quantitative social science and mixed methods participatory research

The Department of Environmental Science Policy and Management at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for two Postdoctoral Scholar positions. One will be in the area of quantitative social science and the other in mixed methods participatory research, at 100% time with an expected start date of summer 2021.

Responsibilities:
Applications are being accepted for those interested in either of our two focus areas: quantitative social science research related to wildfires and cannabis in California or an interdisciplinary research project related to tribal sovereignty and cannabis in California.

Wildfires and Cannabis: The post-doc will lead quantitative social science research related to wildfires and cannabis in California. Over the two-year period, the researcher will develop and administer a survey to cannabis growers in California to understand their interactions with wildfire. This will include conducting focus group research to develop the survey, using Qualtrics software to develop a web-based survey, outreaching to the cannabis community to increase rates of participation, analyzing survey results, and producing peer reviewed manuscripts. Beyond the primary research activities of this project, the postdoc will be part of the Cannabis Research Center team (crc.berkeley.edu) and will have the opportunity to participate in other research and outreach as their interest leads them.

Tribal Sovereignty and Cannabis: The post-doc will lead an interdisciplinary research project related to tribal sovereignty and cannabis in California. Over the two-year period, the researcher will develop a research program to 1) evaluate whether the policies and procedures being carried out by regulatory agencies tasked with implementing and enforcing the cannabis permitting process are consistent with Tribal sovereignty and self-determination and 2) help local governments be more responsive to tribal concerns. The post doc will be responsible for facilitating an advisory committee of Tribal leaders from across the state to provide guidance on the research questions, interpretation of results, and expected outcomes. They will draft peer-reviewed publications and other extension materials support adoption of project learnings. Beyond the primary research activities of this project, the postdoc will be part of the Cannabis Research Center team (crc.berkeley.edu) and will have the opportunity to present research findings at conferences and participate in other research and outreach as their interest leads them.

Basic Qualifications (At the time of application):

• PhD or equivalent international degree or enrolled in a PhD degree program or equivalent international degree program

Additional Qualifications (By start date):

• PhD or equivalent international degree. The candidate should have no more than four years of post-degree research experience by start date.

Preferred Qualifications (By start date):
For Wildfire & Cannabis

• Degree with an emphasis in quantitative social science research.
• Demonstrated experience with conducting research using surveys.
• Familiarity with cannabis regulation or cannabis markets.
• Familiarity with best practices in mixed methods research including basic software tools for quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, as well as participatory research methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience in wildfire or hazard research.
• Demonstrated experience with GIS.
• Familiarity with data analysis methods and best practices for survey design.
• Enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary and cooperative setting.
• Record of publication success.

For Tribal Sovereignty & Cannabis

• Familiarity with California Native history and contemporary experience as well as general understanding of Tribal sovereignty and principle of self-determination.
• Experience conducting research with Tribes and/or Native American communities.
• Experience working with researchers from diverse disciplines including community research partners, and ability to effectively communicate their work to a broader public.
• Familiarity with CEQA and other relevant environmental and cultural resource legislation/regulations.
• Experience or familiarity with government-to-government consultation between Tribes and agencies.
• Enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary and cooperative setting.
• Record of publication success.