Postdoctoral Research Associate

published Nov 13, 2020 12:13pm

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) invites applications for a Bridge to the Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate in Earth and Environmental Sciences, beginning August 16, 2021.

Program Goals

The Bridge to the Faculty program is a University-level initiative to increase the pipeline toward faculty diversity at UIC by attracting and retaining promising scholars from different backgrounds, with an emphasis on individuals from groups who are underrepresented in their discipline. Outstanding candidates will be mentored and supported to further their research and scholarship during their postdoctoral appointments with the goal that they will transition to a research-active, tenure-track faculty position at UIC. UIC strongly encourages applications from individuals who have a demonstrated record of scholarship and a background that will best support UIC's diverse student body. UIC is among the nation's top five most diverse campuses and is designated a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). UIC is located in downtown Chicago and is a comprehensive, urban, public, Research 1 university with access to state-of-the-art research facilities.

Position

The position is a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, which may culminate in the opportunity to transition to a tenure-track assistant professorship starting in the 2023-2024 academic year.

The position is open to all disciplines in the Geosciences. The successful candidate will work with established faculty to develop an independent and competitive research program that would facilitate a transition to a tenure-track position in the department. Particularly during the postdoctoral phase, the candidate will need to take advantage of existing facilities (e.g., the University computational cluster, campus/departmental instrumentation, etc.), with options for expansion of facilities after transition to tenure-track faculty. The selected scholar will be part of an incoming cohort of 20 Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Scholars across the university. In addition to mentorship within the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the selected scholar will participate in a cohort-based mentoring experience through the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, where they will have the opportunity to meet other Bridge to the Faculty Scholars. This position is full-time and includes a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as professional development funds. Information about the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and resources available for the candidate's postdoctoral research can be found at https://eaes.uic.edu/. Applicants should feel free to contact faculty to explore possible research synergies.

Candidate Qualifications and Duties

Candidates must have received a Ph.D. in Earth/Environmental Sciences/Geosciences no earlier than August 16, 2017 and no later than August 15, 2021. Qualified candidates must be legally eligible for employment in the United States. The primary responsibilities of the postdoc will be to generate innovative research, publish their work in leading journals, present their work at professional conferences, and pursue funding to advance their research. In anticipation of transitioning to a tenure-track position, we also expect them to take steps to develop an active independent research program at UIC. Options for teaching in the department will be available, but no more than one course over the two-year period will be expected or allowed. Service duties would be confined to those that further the candidate's professional development. The products of these responsibilities will support the case for transitioning to a tenure-track assistant professorship in the department that would start in August 2023.

To apply

Applicants should submit an online application and additional materials to https://jobs.uic.edu.

Applications must include:

  1. a cover letter 
  2. a plan of research that the candidate would propose for the two-year postdoctoral term
  3. the candidate's curriculum vitae
  4. the names of three researchers who can provide letters of recommendation upon request
  5. commensurate with a standard application for a faculty position, a brief teaching statement and a statement about the candidate's views of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the geosciences and the current challenges facing the discipline. 

All materials must be submitted by January 22, 2021. Questions about this position can be sent to Associate Professor D'Arcy Meyer-Dombard.

UIC is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. UIC will conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and these are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit the Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment page.