The Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes (CSPO) at Arizona State University (ASU) seeks a Post-doctoral Research Associate to assist with an NSF-sponsored 5-year joint project with the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research at the University of Colorado. The project, called Science Policy Assessment and Research on Climate (SPARC), will investigate the relation between science policy and climate policy decisions from two perspectives. First, SPARC explores how climate research agendas are developed and implemented, with a particular focus on understanding how the organization of climate research (“supply”) relates to the information needs of climate policy decision makers (“demand”). Second, SPARC investigates the relative magnitude of various sources of global environmental change in order to better understand the relation between the causes of global change and the priorities of the U.S. climate science portfolio. Key, cross-cutting themes in each of these efforts include the role and behavior of science policy institutions and the influence of ethics and values on science policy decisions.

The responsibilities of the post-doctoral associate will include but are not limited to:
1. conducting literature reviews and background research on impacts of climate change to ecosystems and on other drivers of change to these same ecosystems,
2. developing an initial sensitivity analysis of the relative importance of the impact of climate change on ecosystems and that of other drivers of ecosystem change, and
3. working with a panel of experts to map out the relevant set of impacts and causal relations and then to refine the sensitivity analysis on select ecosystems.

Required Qualifications: Recent Ph.D. in a related field, which may include but is not limited to political science, sociology, ecology, anthropology, geography, and other environmental sciences.

Desired Qualifications: Knowledge of global change science and policies, experience working on interdisciplinary projects.

CSPO and ASU offer an innovative, interdisciplinary environment for developing and testing research ideas related to the governance and conduct of science and technology in the public interest.

Compensation: The initial appointment will be for one year with option to extend. The salary level is between $35,000-$40,000/yr depending on qualifications and experience.

Applications Procedure: The initial deadline is December 15, 2004; if not filled every two weeks until the search is closed. Submit: detailed letter of application stating qualifications, experience, and research interests and plans; detailed curriculum vitae; and the names and contact information for 3 references to Lori Hidinger, Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes, PO Box 874401, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4401 or cspo@asu.edu. AA/EOE

For more information about CSPO, go to www.cspo.org.