CIRES/ North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center Post-Doctoral Associate in Social Sciences

University of Colorado System; Allenspark (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Relocation funds

Mentorship program

CU Boulder benefits

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a Postdoctoral appointment in Social Science to study resilience and adaptation in Colorado’s outdoor recreation system. The role will support USGS-funded work assessing vulnerability and informing planning for state agencies.

The 21‑month, full-time position requires a PhD in social science, a collaborative ethos, and willingness to travel within Colorado. The role is hosted by CIRES/NC CASC at CU Boulder.

Qualifications

• PhD in social science required; defended by start date.
• Experience with ethnography, interviews, and surveys beneficial.
• Strong oral and written communication skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with project leadership on interview and survey protocols.
• Lead ethnographic research at Colorado State Parks and related sites.
• Conduct in-person and remote interviews with managers and staff.
• Analyze interview transcripts to identify climate sensitivities and adaptive capacity.
• Develop and distribute surveys based on interview findings and analyze results.
• Lead development of communication materials on results and implications.
• Support planning workshops for staff across agencies.

Skills

Research design & methods

Qualitative & quantitative analysis

Written communication

Collaboration with partners

Education

PhD in social science

Job description

Job Summary

The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC; https://nccasc.colorado.edu/) at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a Postdoctoral appointment in Social Science. The Postdoc will be actively involved in and lead several aspects of the U.S. Geological Survey funded project titled “Supporting resilience and preparedness planning for recreation and other economically important sectors in Colorado” to assess vulnerability and adaptive capacity of Colorado’s state outdoor recreation opportunities, operations, and infrastructure. The Postdoctoral Associate will specifically inform comprehensive and strategic climate resilience planning for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Climate Preparedness Office, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and other relevant Colorado agencies.

Colorado’s 43 State Parks and 350 State Wildlife Areas are central to the state’s economy, attracting over 17 million visitors each year. Visitation is expected to grow as Colorado’s population increases and warmer temperatures extend recreation seasons.

At the same time, climate change is creating significant challenges, including heat waves, drought, earlier peak streamflow, and larger wildfires that threaten recreation opportunities, infrastructure, public health, and safety. The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct research to assess Colorado State Park and Wildlife Area managers’ concerns about climate change impacts on recreation opportunities and infrastructure to inform understanding of key climate sensitivities and adaptive capacity. The selected applicant will gain experience and knowledge in actionable science approaches to support science-based management of state lands; work with personnel in a variety of capacities in academia and state science and management agencies; and learn about the science and management of Colorado recreational lands.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

The NC CASC is one of nine regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers ( https://www.usgs.gov/programs/climate-adaptation-science-centers ) established to help meet the changing needs of natural and cultural resource managers across the United States. The CASC-network fosters innovative and applied research in support of Tribal, federal, state, and local natural resource management and decision-making in a changing climate.

The NC CASC is hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) within the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). It is a partnership between CU Boulder, the U.S. Geological Survey, and six consortium partners: Colorado State University; Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance; South Dakota State University; The Nature Conservancy; University of Montana; and University of Wyoming. The Center serves primarily Department of Interior agencies, state fish and wildlife agencies, and Tribal partners across a 7-state region, including Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. We have a strong culture of collaborative work across the climate, ecological, and social sciences to support the needs of our partners.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Coordinate with project leadership and partners on developing interview and survey protocols, scenario planning, and/or logistical aspects of the project (15%)
• Conduct ethnographic research at select Colorado State Parks (10%)
• Conduct in-person and remote semi-structured interviews with Colorado State Park and Wildlife Area Managers (10%)
• Analyze interview transcripts using deductive and inductive coding to identify key climate change sensitivities and characterize adaptive capacity (15%)
• Develop and distribute a survey instrument based on interview findings and analyze results (15%)
• Lead development of communication products (oral and written) on the research results and their implications (20%)
• Support development and facilitation of an adaptation planning workshop for Colorado State Parks and Wildlife Area staff (10%)
• Perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%)

What You Should Know

• This is a full-time, 40-hour per week, 21-month position with the possibility of extension based on the availability of funding.
• This position offers a hybrid work modality.
• The selected candidate must be based in the Boulder or Denver area for the duration of the project to facilitate travel to fieldsites and coordination with project partners.
• The selected candidate will be expected to travel (approximately 4 trips) by car with overnight stays (approximately 2 nights per trip) to conduct fieldwork within Colorado.
• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position. Candidates needing visa sponsorship now or in the future are not eligible for hire in this role. Candidates must be eligible to legally work in the U.S. on a full-time basis by the anticipated start date of November 1, 2026.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES offers a generous compensation and benefits package.
• The annual hiring salary for this position is in the range of $65,000 - $70,000. Salary determination will be commensurate with education and experience and will be based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• A rental car, car insurance, lodging, and per diem will be provided to support required work travel.
• This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
• Some relocation funds are available to help offset expenses, following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
• University of Colorado Boulder offers a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a Mentorship Program.
• Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues.
• As an employee at CU Boulder, you will have free access to the regional public transit system, an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that service Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be groundbreaking. Be successful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• PhD in social science (e.g., anthropology, geography, sociology) or a related field.
• Candidates must have successfully completed all requirements for the PhD conferral, including the successful defense and the thesis revisions by the targeted start date of November 1, 2026.
• At least 1 year of experience conducting ethnographic research, interviews, and/or surveys. (Experience acquired during graduate school is acceptable.)
• This position requires a valid driver's license and the ability to maintain insurable status under the organization's vehicle insurance policy.

What You Will Need

• Training and experience in applying social science research tools (e.g. ethnography, interviews, surveys) and analysis (qualitative and quantitative data analysis) to natural resource and/or conservation questions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Interest or experience working with natural resource managers.

What We Would Like You to Have

Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

• Working understanding of climate science.
• General understanding of approaches and tools for public land management for outdoor recreation.
• Experience and skill in science translation for natural resource managers and decision makers, including crafting visual or graphical outputs.
• Basic skills or experience in facilitation (e.g., running meetings).
• Strong skills in organization, collaboration, problem-solving, and independent work.