U-M Presidential Post-Doctoral Fellowship Agroecology and Biodiversity

SEAS is seeking candidates whose research focuses on the intersection of agroecology and

biodiversity. Agroecology involves the application of ecological principles and knowledge to

agricultural ecosystems. Agriculture affects and is affected by biodiversity. We are seeking

candidates with a strong natural science background who are doing research at this

intersection including identifying how agrobiodiversity across scales can support wild species or

how to manage biodiversity within agroecosystems to increase their social and ecological

sustainability. Candidates who conduct field research are especially encouraged to apply.

Because agroecology is a transdisciplinary field we encourage candidates with a

multidisciplinary background grounded in the natural sciences to apply. Promoting sustainability

and social equity are core principles of agroecology a sustainable food system must address

ecosystem health and social wellbeing in order to persist. Biodiversity in this context includes

the agrobiodiversity of food systems per se including the remarkable global diversity of

indigenous food varieties that continue to be lost each year as well as the broader ecosystem

context in which food production takes place including both rural and urban settings. The

successful applicant could focus on a broad range of topics including but not limited to ways

that agroecosystems intersect with ecological restoration biodiversityecosystem functioning

loss of global crop diversity management of the agroecological matrix for biodiversity

conservation pollination ecological pest management intercropping/agroforestry and climate

change impacts on biodiversity. More broadly the position could encompass environmental

justice issues associated with either food systems or biodiversity conservation.

The postdoc will be housed at SEAS but would be part of the Sustainable Food Systems

Initiative a universitywide initiative of faculty students and staff working toward a sustainable

and just food system locally and globally. The postdoc would have opportunities for cross

disciplinary interactions with faculty from several academic units including the School of Public

Health Taubman School of Architecture and Urban Planning and the School of Literature

Science and Art.

Faculty at SEAS have a successful record of providing a nurturing and productive postdoctoral

experience. In keeping with the PPDF program we are interested in future colleagues who

engage in research in the broad fields of environment and sustainability and whose research

addresses the perspectives and/or needs of groups that have been historically underserved by

academic research.

The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability views these postdoctoral

fellowships as an exceptional opportunity to recruit potential new faculty. The fellowships offer

the possibility of either a postdoc alone or a combined postdoc with consideration for a tenure

track faculty appointment at the end of the postdoc appointment.

Please direct inquiries about this position to Ivette Perfecto .

About SEAS and UM

The University of Michigans School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is at the

forefront of building a more sustainable and just world for all by transforming the impact of

higher education and reimagining the future. By advancing climate and sustainability action

through innovation research education and engagement in society SEAS develops leaders

who are empowered to halt the climate crisis and create an environmentally sound future for

generations to come.

The School is home to vibrant research and teaching programs with over 50 professors and

over 12600 alumni the largest network of any U.S. environmental degree program. We offer

four degrees: A Ph.D. a Master of Science in 8 different specializations a Master of Landscape

Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Environment.

Founded in 1817 the University of Michigan has a long and distinguished history as one of the

first public universities in the nation. It is one of only two public institutions consistently ranked

among the nation's top ten universities. The University has one of the largest health care

complexes in the world and one of the best library systems in the United States. With more than

$1.86 billion in research expenditures annually the University has the second largest research

expenditure among all universities in the nation. The University has an annual general fund

budget of more than $3.1 billion and an endowment valued at more than $17.9 billion. For more

information about SEAS please visit: .

SEAS is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable environment that respects diverse experiences promotes generous listening and communications and discourages andrestoratively responds to acts of discrimination harassment or injustice. Our commitment to diversityequity and inclusion is deeply rooted in our values for a sustainable and just society.

Why Work at Michigan

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity The University of Michigan offers a

competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well protect yourself

and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Generous time off

A retirement plan

Many choices for comprehensive health insurance

Life insurance

Longterm disability coverage

Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from

posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the

position is deadline is August 30th 2024.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance

of a contingent offer and may use a thirdparty administrator to conduct background checks.

Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

UM EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Required Qualifications

PhD in Natural Science or related field

Strong written and oral communication skills

Candidates must not have previously held a PostDoctoral Research Fellow position