Current opportunities
Post-doctoral research position on monitoring and evaluating climate change adaptation in critical infrastructure sectors
Dr. Alexandra Lesnikowski (Concordia Climate Change Adaptation Lab) is recruiting a post-doctoral researcher for a two-year position on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of climate adaptation and resilience in critical infrastructure sectors, with a particular focus on the electricity sector. The position will be funded in partnership with Ouranos through the Mitacs Elevate program. The researcher will join a multi-year project that aims to 1) understand how adaptation M&E can improve organizational decision-making and resilience outcomes in critical infrastructure sectors; 2) develop and test an adaptation M&E framework for use in critical infrastructure sectors; and 3) clarify how perceptions and risk tolerances around climate change-induced losses and damages can inform decisions about adaptation investments/risks/trade-offs/rewards in the electricity sector.
Specific research contributions will include:
Developing an adaptation M&E framework that connects best practices in adaptation assessment with industry-relevant information systems, data, and metrics.
Advancing methodologies for analyzing current and future risk, vulnerability, and resilience outcomes at different time scales, including innovations in the application of digital technologies.
Conducting research on organizational, societal, and political risk tolerances for climate change-induced losses and damages in the electricity sector, and how this knowledge can inform adaptation decision-making.
The researcher will be based in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia University, and will work with a diverse team of researchers in Canada and Europe, as well as project partners in the electricity sector.
State date: Fall 2024
Duration: 2 years
Funding: $60,000 per year total research funding
Eligibility: Prospective candidates must hold a PhD in Geography, Environment, Natural Resource Management, Sustainability Science, or a related field by the time the position commences.
Other requirements: Interest in environmental or climate change governance; comfort with mixed methods research, including for example: content analysis, interviewing, scenario analysis, machine learning, and/or policy evaluation; a strong publication record; strong written and spoken English language skills; French bilingualism is an asset.
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Lesnikowski by email (alexandra.lesnikowski@concordia.ca). Please include your CV, three writing samples (including at least 2 scientific publications), a short statement of interest, and the names of two referees. Applicant consideration will continue until the position is filled. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Dr. Lesnikowski will work with the successful candidate to submit the final funding application to the Mitacs Elevate program.