Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Community Conservation Global Synthesis

The University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan are partnering to invite applications for an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Fellow with deep expertise in quantitative analyses of socio-ecological systems. Areas of expertise could include geospatial analysis, integration and causal analysis of environmental and social data, and/or evidence syntheses and meta-analyses.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Do not submit an application through this platform, to apply - please visit this link:
• Interested candidates must submit a CV, cover letter, and a recent publication or dissertation chapter. Candidates should be prepared to share references upon request.

The Research Fellow will lead analyses as part of a global working group synthesizing evidence on the biodiversity, climate, and social outcomes of community-based conservation (CBC) in land and coastal systems. The evidence synthesis will advance understanding of the status, impacts and drivers, and prospects of CBC in a changing world. The working group is composed leading interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners based in the US (Universities of Notre Dame, Michigan, Miami, Cornell, and Stanford, Rights and Resources Initiative, and WWF), Brazil (Federal University of Pará); the UK (University of Manchester); Madagascar (University of Antananarivo); India (Indian School of Business); and Indonesia (AMAN - Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago).

The postdoctoral fellow will assume the following key responsibilities:

• Lead a systematic review of relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature, including a conceptual synthesis of the term “community-based conservation” and its variants used in marine and terrestrial ecosystems to develop a typology and conceptual framework.
• Compile, harmonize, and analyze diverse social, environmental and climate change mitigation datasets linked to CBC across multiple spatial and temporal resolutions.
• Support horizon scanning or similar Delphi-style efforts to collect data on practitioner, policymaker, and researcher views on the future prospects for CBC. 
• Co-author and support high-impact, interdisciplinary research publications in leading sustainability and environmental science journals.
• Contribute to collaborative grant writing, proposal development, and data-sharing infrastructure to sustain and expand the project’s activities. 
• Engage with global partners and practitioners to ensure findings are accessible and actionable for both research and policy audiences. 

The research fellow will join a cohort of postdoctoral fellows supporting and elevating the sustainability-related research efforts of faculty and students at Notre Dame and Michigan. Together, this cohort will help advance impactful, solution-oriented sustainability research that engages ecological, social, economic, and ethical dimensions in an integrated manner.

This search is conducted with leadership from Notre Dame’s Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative and University of Michigan’s Institute of Global Change Biology, which are partnering on an international synthesis effort focused on interactions between biodiversity and climate change.

This is a full-time position available with an initial appointment of one-year, renewable for an additional year on the basis of satisfactory performance and availability of funding. The Fellow will be based at the University of Notre Dame, with opportunities for collaborative meetings and research stays at the Universities of Michigan and Manchester in the UK.

• Ph.D. (in hand by the starting date) in Data Science, Statistics, Environmental Science, Economics, Sustainability Studies, Conservation Biology or a related field with a strong quantitative focus. Applicants with an interdisciplinary degree are welcome.
• Demonstrated proficiency in geospatial analysis, data management, data harmonization for data analysis and/or evidence synthesis and meta-analysis, ideally with experience related to ML/NLP/AI tools.
• Strong programming skills in ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, R, Python, or similar software.
• Experience working with large and complex datasets, such as those relating to geospatial and temporal data.
• A strong publication record in data-driven sustainability research or closely related fields.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to work collaboratively with researchers and practitioners from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.
• Expertise related to community-based conservation in terrestrial and/or marine realms preferred.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Do not submit an application through this platform, to apply - please visit this link:
• Interested candidates must submit a CV, cover letter, and a recent publication or dissertation chapter. Candidates should be prepared to share references upon request.

This position will be accepting applications until January 12, 2026.

At Notre Dame, we know our impact depends on exceptional people, people like you. We are committed to fostering a vibrant, welcoming community. In keeping with our mission, we encourage applications from all who will help build and strengthen our beloved community. We strive to empower every employee to flourish, knowing your success propels Notre Dame to new heights of impact.