Postdoctoral Research Associate Corporate Climate Action and Social Tipping Points
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Job Location:
Chapel Hill, NC - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 65000 - 72000
Posted on:
30+ days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Position Summary
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station. The Data-Driven EnviroLab ( DDL ) is an interdisciplinary and international research initiative based at UNCs IE that is redefining how data is used to tackle the worlds most pressing environmental challenges. Analyzing the global environment at multiple geographical and jurisdictional levels from cities countries and regions to local communities and corporations we turn complex large-scale and often messy datasets into actionable insights that shape policy drive accountability and create real-world impact. We operate with a commitment to evidence-based equitable solutions building connections across disciplines sectors and geographies while giving special attention to underrepresented communities and data-scarce regions in the Global South. DDL was founded and is led by Associate Professor Angel Hsu. The DDL is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to an interdisciplinary research initiative to study corporate climate action and its potential to catalyze social tipping points (i.e. nonlinear shifts in societal norms policy technology uptake and consumer behavior) that will accelerate climate action beyond a companys direct emissions footprint. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be researching how corporations contribute to decarbonization and net-zero trajectories through systemic influence (i.e. influencing new governmental regulations or industry partnerships) beyond their corporations operational reductions. The goal of the research project is to develop a novel and robust research that provides cutting-edge thought leadership that has real-world application paired with academic rigor. Specifically the Postdoctoral Research Associate will lead a team of researchers in conceptualizing and operationalizing corporate catalytic cascading mechanisms or how corporations climate action can build momentum and positively influence national climate commitments. As a researcher in the DDL the Postdoctoral Research Associate will work with team members and external collaborators in defining how corporate climate actions such as net-zero commitments procurement shifts public communication and coalition-building can function as triggers of systemic social change. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will lead the team in developing a conceptual framework that links corporate spheres of influence to social tipping mechanisms (e.g. norm diffusion policy mimicry or supply chain alignment) and outline the theoretical pathways through which corporate actions have impact beyond their organizations direct emissions and resource use. To the extent possible given data availability we will test our methodology using real-world data to establish whether we empirically see evidence of corporate social tipping/catalytic cascading effects. The position is initially for 1 year with the possibility of extension pending funding and performance.
Required Qualifications Competencies And Experience
- PhD in Environmental Studies/Policy Organizational Studies Management Business Political science Sociology Economics or related disciplines or a closely related field. - Experience in conducting research on corporate sustainability. - Experience and familiarity with existing environmental and/or climate governance frameworks and evaluation criteria. - Able to think critically proactively and work both independently and in an interdisciplinary team environment.
Preferred Qualifications Competencies And Experience
- Background in corporate climate action CSR ESG reporting carbon accounting or net-zero emissions planning. - Excellent organization and time management skills.
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station. The Data-Driven EnviroLab ( DDL ) is an interdisciplinary and international research initiative based at UNCs IE that is redefining how data is used to tackle the worlds most pressing environmental challenges. Analyzing the global environment at multiple geographical and jurisdictional levels from cities countries and regions to local communities and corporations we turn complex large-scale and often messy datasets into actionable insights that shape policy drive accountability and create real-world impact. We operate with a commitment to evidence-based equitable solutions building connections across disciplines sectors and geographies while giving special attention to underrepresented communities and data-scarce regions in the Global South. DDL was founded and is led by Associate Professor Angel Hsu. The DDL is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to an interdisciplinary research initiative to study corporate climate action and its potential to catalyze social tipping points (i.e. nonlinear shifts in societal norms policy technology uptake and consumer behavior) that will accelerate climate action beyond a companys direct emissions footprint. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be researching how corporations contribute to decarbonization and net-zero trajectories through systemic influence (i.e. influencing new governmental regulations or industry partnerships) beyond their corporations operational reductions. The goal of the research project is to develop a novel and robust research that provides cutting-edge thought leadership that has real-world application paired with academic rigor. Specifically the Postdoctoral Research Associate will lead a team of researchers in conceptualizing and operationalizing corporate catalytic cascading mechanisms or how corporations climate action can build momentum and positively influence national climate commitments. As a researcher in the DDL the Postdoctoral Research Associate will work with team members and external collaborators in defining how corporate climate actions such as net-zero commitments procurement shifts public communication and coalition-building can function as triggers of systemic social change. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will lead the team in developing a conceptual framework that links corporate spheres of influence to social tipping mechanisms (e.g. norm diffusion policy mimicry or supply chain alignment) and outline the theoretical pathways through which corporate actions have impact beyond their organizations direct emissions and resource use. To the extent possible given data availability we will test our methodology using real-world data to establish whether we empirically see evidence of corporate social tipping/catalytic cascading effects. The position is initially for 1 year with the possibility of extension pending funding and performance.
Required Qualifications Competencies And Experience
- PhD in Environmental Studies/Policy Organizational Studies Management Business Political science Sociology Economics or related disciplines or a closely related field. - Experience in conducting research on corporate sustainability. - Experience and familiarity with existing environmental and/or climate governance frameworks and evaluation criteria. - Able to think critically proactively and work both independently and in an interdisciplinary team environment.
Preferred Qualifications Competencies And Experience
- Background in corporate climate action CSR ESG reporting carbon accounting or net-zero emissions planning. - Excellent organization and time management skills.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Laboratory Experience
- ELISA
- Immunoassays
- Mammalian Cell Culture
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Research Experience
- Cell Culture
- Molecular Biology
- Microscopy
- Research Laboratory Experience
- Western Blot
About Company
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader known for innovative teaching, research and public service. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best ... View more
