NatCap TEEMs Postdoctoral Associate

Hours: Full-time, temporary (2-3 months)
Salary: $63,500- $66,500 annualized (prorated for appointment duration)
Department: Applied Economics
Reports to: Dr. Nfamara K. Dampha

Appointment Terms

• Duration: 2-3 months (non-tenure track, temporary)
• Renewal: No automatic renewal; any extension subject to funding and approvals
• Work Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul area or remote (with regular coordination)

This appointment is strictly time-bound and designed to address clearly defined, near-term analytical and synthesis needs. The postdoctoral associate will contribute to focused components of ongoing work using interdisciplinary methods spanning social science synthesis, spatial analysis, and systems modeling. The position does not carry expectations of long-term project ownership or independent research agenda development.

Project Scope (Short-Term)
This position supports two related NatCap TEEMs projects, with clearly scoped deliverables appropriate to a 2-3 month workload.

Project 1: Midwest CASC-Funded Project
"Nature's Value in Reducing Flood Risk Impacts in the Upper Mississippi River Basin"
The postdoc will contribute targeted analytical support to an existing project team working on flood risk, nature-based solutions, and environmental justice. Responsibilities will focus on discrete modeling and synthesis tasks, such as:

• Supporting flood exposure and vulnerability analyses using existing datasets and model frameworks
• Assisting with selected InVEST model runs (e.g., SDR, NDR, Seasonal Water Yield) under PI guidance
• Contributing to technical memos, figures, or draft manuscript sections
• Supporting stakeholder-facing materials (e.g., background analyses for workshops or briefs)
  This role is supportive and bounded, not responsible for end-to-end model development.

Project 2: Accounting for Minnesota's Natural Capital Stock and Ecosystem Services Value
The postdoc will provide short-term analytical input to the first-phase scoping and prototyping of Minnesota natural capital accounts using the SEEA framework and GEP approach. Tasks may include:

• Assisting with data compilation and preliminary spatial inventories for water or land assets
• Supporting initial ecosystem service mapping or tabulation
• Contributing to draft physical or monetary account tables (prototype level)
• Assisting with documentation of methods and data gaps

The postdoc is not expected to complete a full SEEA account within this appointment.
Supervision and Mentorship
The appointment will be supervised by Dr. Nfamara K. Dampha, Lead Scientist and Director of NatCap TEEMs. Given the short duration, mentorship will focus on task-level guidance, rapid onboarding, and professional continuity, rather than long-term career development programming.

Time Allocation (Indicative)

• ~45% Project 1 - Flood risk & NbS analytical support
• ~45% Project 2 - Natural capital accounting scoping and analysis
• ~10% Professional Development & Coordination

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Scaled for Short-Term Appointment)
NatCap TEEMs Postdoctoral associate are expected to follow project management best practices, proportionate to the short duration, including:

1. Project Coordination
   • Participate in planning meetings and manage assigned tasks
   • Provide brief weekly progress updates via email
   • Coordinate with PI and core team members
2. Data & Documentation
   • Organize and document outputs using shared Google Drive folders
   • Follow NatCap TEEMs data and metadata standards for all deliverables
3. Research Contributions
   • Execute pre-defined modeling, analysis, or synthesis tasks
   • Contribute text, figures, or tables for reports or manuscripts as requested

Required

• PhD in natural resources, environmental science, economics, policy, data science, or related interdisciplinary field
• PhD completed within the past 5 years or expected imminently
• Experience with GIS (ArcGIS Pro or QGIS) and spatial analysis
• Proficiency in Python, R, or similar programming languages
• Familiarity with ecosystem service modeling or valuation approaches
• U.S. work eligibility or valid visa status (H-1B transfer eligible)

Preferred

• Experience with InVEST models or similar ecosystem service tools
• Exposure to hydrology, flood risk analysis, or vulnerability assessment
• Familiarity with SEEA Central Framework or Ecosystem Accounting
• Interest in applied, policy-relevant sustainability research

The NatCap TEEMs (Natural Capital Alliance: The Earth-Economy Modelers) at the University of Minnesota invites applications for a short-term Postdoctoral Fellow appointment (2-3 months) to provide targeted research and analytical support across two active Natural Capital Alliance projects.

Pay Range: $63,500 - $66,500 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

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