Job Announcement: Researcher on Climate Change Adaptation in Pacific Island Food Systems

Researcher on Climate Change Adaptation in Pacific Island Food Systems

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM)

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (CTAHR),

and

Pacific Island Climate Change Cooperative (PICCC)

Purpose: CTAHR and PICCC are collaborating to develop climate-smart agriculture curricula for cooperative extension services and agricultural practitioners in the Pacific Islands.  To inform this effort, we seek to inventory and synthesize the available climate change projections, vulnerability assessments, informational products, and adaptation projects relevant to food system management in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands (i.e., Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, American Samoa, and the Federated States of Micronesia).

Duties: The primary objectives of this effort will be to 1) summarize evidence/knowledge of current and projected vulnerabilities of Pacific Island food production systems to climate-related stress (e.g., sea level and temperature rise, rainfall variability) and natural hazards (e.g., drought/flooding, storm damage, fire); 2) Produce an annotated data table (to be published online) of existing projects and products related to climate science/climate change and land use for the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands including climate adaptation research, vulnerability assessments, climate outlooks/summaries, weather data/forecasts, drought reporting, land use/land cover products, and other related tools; 3) Produce a manuscript for peer-reviewed publication outlining existing resources, knowledge gaps, and research and management opportunities for improving the resilience of Pacific Island food production systems to the anticipated effects of climate change.

Minimum Qualifications: Graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in ecology, agriculture, geography, climate science, anthropology or related field. Excellent writing and communication skills.  Ability to research and organize data/information.  Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision.

Desirable qualifications: Familiarity with Pacific Island geography and agricultural practices; Familiarity with climate adaptation and mitigation; Prior authorship/co-authorship of peer-reviewed publications; Familiarity with web-based data layout/presentation.

Compensation:  Funding is available for a full-time, temporary (3 months) position at $3500-$4500 per month, without benefits, depending on qualifications.

Application Materials: Submit via email: (1) current CV including 3 references and (2) letter of application station how you meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications.

Contact:   Dr. Clay Trauernicht,

1910 East-West Rd 101, Honolulu, HI 96822

Email: trauerni@hawaii.edu

Closing Date: until filled