Post-Doctoral Fellow or Associate Research Scholar for Global Agriculture and Climate Change at Princeton Univeresity
The Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy program at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University invites applications for a position as a post-doctoral research associate in Global Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Forest Protection.
The successful candidate will engage in relevant research and assist in coordination of an international, collaborative project, titled “The Agricultural Synergies Project.” This project involves writing detailed guidance for how to improve agricultural production in developing countries while reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and protecting natural habitats.
The guidance documents will focus on three topic areas: (1) the more efficient production of milk and meat from ruminants on pasture in Latin America and in small-scaled, mixed cropping livestock systems in Africa and Southeast Asia, (2) the practical expansion of agroforestry in developing countries, and (3) the opportunities and challenges of intensifying agricultural production in developing countries in a manner that saves land locally as well as globally.
The work combines many fields: agronomy, animal husbandry, greenhouse gas coordinate a team of researchers on all settled Continents. The primary work products will be guidance documents, but there will also be opportunities for spin-off, collaborative research publications. This position will report to and work closely with Tim Searchinger, an Associate Research Scholar, and principal investigator of the project (tsearchi@princeton.edu).
The initial appointment is for one year with possibility of renewal assuming good performance. The position is available immediately– the search will continue until the position is filled.
The position is open to all regardless of citizenship. Applicants should apply on the Princeton website and include a cover letter describing research experience, curriculum vitae including a publication list, a statement of research interests, and contact information for three references.
Qualifications: Candidates should have a recent PhD in an appropriate research field, a background in at least some aspect of agriculture, good statistical skills, skills in GIS analysis and managing web sites, and an ability to work in a rigorous and interdisciplinary manner.
The position is full-time, with benefits for one year, with possibility of renewal.
Apply
AGRO 3305: Agroecosystems of the World
Agroecology is a scientific discipline focused on understanding the structure and functions of agricultural systems and the interactions between the biophysical, sociocultural and technical components of those systems across a range of scales. Global demand for food is increasing and is expected to double by the year 2050, and this rise is greatest in developing parts of the world. Meeting the demand will require understanding the interdependence of food production practices, as well as the environment and social structures that rely on and shape agriculture. This course introduces students to agroecological approaches to studying and designing systems of food production.
The course will begin by introducing the conceptual basis of agroecosystems and considering different frameworks of inquiry. Students will become familiar with these frameworks as they continue to explore agroecosystems in Nepal, Morocco, and Costa Rica during the second portion of the course. During the final portion, students will use information gathered during these investigations to consider the impacts of global change factors on food production now and in the future, including climate change, water and energy availability, technology, population growth, and environmental degradation. Throughout this course, you will gain skills in accessing and using information on agroecosystems from a variety of sources including GIS maps, farmer and researcher interviews, and published literature. Fore more information on this course, visit the course site.
This course is taught by Dr. Paul Porter, coordinator for Agricultural Industries and Marketing undergraduate degrees. He has extensive experience in world agriculture, including a 12,000 km bike trip across ten African countries co-teaching courses in African farming. To learn more about Dr. Porter’s adventures, take a look at his blog.
NSF Launches $10,000 BREAD Ideas Challenge
NSF and the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation launched the BREAD (Basic Research to Enhance Agricultural Development) Ideas Challenge on April 1 2013. Applicants should state in 100 words or fewer what they believe are the most pressing challenges facing farmers in developing nations. Up to 25 winners will receive $10,000 each and have their ideas receive international attention on the BREAD Ideas Challenge website.
Faculty as well as graduate and postdoctoral students are invited to apply. Submissions are due April 30 at 4:00 pm (Central Time).
May-Term Study Abroad Opportunities and Info Sessions
Interested in studying abroad this May? Check out these sustainability related opportunities that can be petitioned to count toward your sustainability minor!
Natural History of Norway Students learn about the physical geography, ecology, and management of natural resources, and the flora and fauna of Nord Trondelag. This course is 3 semester credits and it fulfills the Global Perspectives Liberal Education requirement. It is also approved for the biophysical sciences elective for the Sustainability Studies minor. Contact Lauren McCarthy to ensure minor credit goes on your record. Priority application deadline is February 15, 2013.
Climate Change in the City of the Gods: Machu Picchu and the Amazon Machu Picchu is one of the world’s greatest archeological sites. However climate change will alter the biodiversity, cultural conditions, and the values and lifestyles of the region’s indigenous population, changing their long term value to humanity. This course is 3 semester credits and is fulfills the Global Perspectives and Environment Liberal Education themes. It is also approved for the biophysical sciences elective for the Sustainability Studies minor. Contact Lauren McCarthy to ensure minor credit goes on your record. Attend an information session on Thursday, February 7, from noon-1 pm in the Minnesota Commons, St. Paul Student Center. There will be pizza provided at the information session!
Upcoming November Happy Hours
Twin Cities Local Food Happy Hour – Facebook event page
What: At this month’s Local Food Happy Hour we will discuss how health care costs affect local farmers. Huge increases in health care costs, combined with political “leadership” that too often puts major health insurance corporations in the driver’s seat on health care policy, have caused Land Stewardship Project members to call for major health care reform. Access—for everyone—to affordable, quality health care is critical if we are able to have communities where sustainable, family farm-based agriculture thrives.
Who: LSP Program Organizer, Megan Buckingham will speak about LSP’s current health care organizing, and how you can join in the fight for fair health care.
When: Tuesday, November 13, 2012. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Trotters Cafe & Bakery, St. Paul.
A Sip of Science – Event info
What: Hawai’i to Hurricane Sandy: Can Ecosystem Management Affect Water Resources?
Our everyday landscape is constantly evolving and changing. Whether wetlands are converted into productive agricultural fields, prairies, forests and deserts urbanized for towns and cities, or rivers channelized to minimize land loss, the way we design our landscape impacts our water resources and the ecosystem benefits we derive from the environment. With constant pressure for land conversion, we need to develop a better understanding of the impacts of land use on our water and ecosystem resources so it can better inform public decision-making.
Join Kate Brauman as she explores quantifying the impacts of land-use change on the municipal water supply in Kona, Hawaii, and how that process can be translated to various environments throughout the world.
Who: Kate Brauman is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment. Her work currently includes looking for patterns in agricultural water use to identify regions where changing irrigation management could increase or stabilize food supply while ensuring the delivery of a suite of complementary ecosystem services.
When: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 5:30p.m.
Where: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main Street, St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis.
