Postdoctoral Fellowship:
Consumer Attitudes on Energy and Related Issues
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan's Energy Institute (UMEI) and Institute for Social Research (ISR) have launched a new national survey of Americans' attitudes on energy. Fielded as a quarterly rider on the nationally known University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, the U-M Energy Survey is generating unique data on consumer perceptions and concerns about the affordability, reliability and environmental impact of energy. The survey has just completed collecting its first full year of data, presenting an opportunity for original research and analysis on a topic of high interest to the public, policymakers and the many businesses involved in energy production, distribution and use. For more information about the Energy Survey, see www.energy.umich.edu/research/projects/university-michigan-energy-survey.
UMEI is sponsoring a one-year, extendable fellowship for a social scientist who will help lead the analysis and interpretation of U-M Energy Survey data and initiate original research related to the topic. With mentorship by senior UMEI and ISR researchers and affiliated faculty advisors, the research may include comparing Energy Survey data to other consumer economics and energy data, developing additional survey questions, and applying complementary social science research tools. The fellow will join an analytic team that includes expertise on energy issues, consumer attitudes, survey methodology and data analysis.
Candidates should have a recently completed Ph.D. in a relevant social science discipline (such as survey methodology, psychology, economics, sociology, etc.), excellent English writing and speaking skills and expertise in quantitative methods. Knowledge of survey methodologies and current U.S. energy and economic issues are preferred, but expertise in all such areas is not essential. The fellow will be encouraged and supported in developing proposals for new research on the U-M Energy Survey and the fellow's related scholarly interests.
Postdoctoral fellows are required to be in residence for the duration of the appointment, write reports and papers for peer-reviewed journals, make presentations and develop short articles for the web and other outlets to describe the research and its public significance. The stipend is negotiable based on the candidate's credentials, includes a University of Michigan benefits package, and can be extended to a second year contingent on performance and funding.
To apply, send a letter of inquiry, CV, 1-3 published papers for which you are the lead author and the names of 3 references to:Energy.Projects@umich.edu. Applications should be received by December 15, 2014 and the position can start as soon as January 1, 2014.