View Thread

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Organizations and Natural Environment 

The Owen Graduate School of Management, the Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and the Environment (VIEE) and the Vanderbilt Climate Change Research Network (CCRN) are pleased to invite applications from qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship position in organizations and natural environment. The position is for two years, starting in the summer of 2016. 

Applications are sought from candidates with primary experience in one or more relevant fields in the area of organizations and natural environment, including organization studies, psychology, sociology, economics, and decision sciences. We are particularly interested in applicants whose research interests and expertise include topics such as employee motivation, perceptions of climate change, resource consumption, engagement in environmental behavior and environmental policy support.

The strongest candidates will be those whose interests also align closely with Owen faculty, and where the post-doc and faculty member can foresee developing joint research projects. We encourage applicants to look in detail at Owen faculty research, and identify faculty with similar interests and ongoing research activity – either with Professor Mark Cohen or the Owen faculty in Organization Studies (http://www.owen.vanderbilt.edu/faculty-and-research/academic-areas/organization-studies.cfm. Additional details about the position are offered below, and information about VIEE and CCRN can be found here: VIEE: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/viee/, and CCRN: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/academic-programs/environmental-law/climate-change-network/

The postdoctoral fellow will function as an integral member of an active, interdisciplinary research group. The fellow will interact with faculty, graduate and professional students, undergraduates, and other postdoctoral fellows representing a wide range of disciplines, including energy and environmental law, political science, economics, psychology, human and organizational development, management, earth and environmental sciences, and engineering. The expectation is that the postdoc fellow will become part of a research team utilizing quantitative research methods to examine influences on energy use, environmentally significant behavior and policy support by employees in private organizations – both at work and at home.  Since this position will be housed at the Owen School, the fellow will also have a ready cohort of post-doc students in Organization Studies.  Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to existing projects, work closely with other members of the research group and in interdisciplinary teams, help develop project proposals and publish research results in peer-reviewed journals.

 Applicants must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field by the time the appointment begins. In addition, they should have a keen interest and demonstrated expertise in their particular area, strong interpersonal skills, writing ability, and capability to perform in-depth analysis. Candidates must be self-starters who are comfortable taking initiative and who can play a major role in working on multiple projects and bringing them to completion.

 Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2016 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should include: (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) three letters of reference from supervisors or professors signed and on letterhead with email addresses and phone numbers included, and (3) an essay (3-5 pages) describing reasons for applying, goals to be accomplished during the fellowship, and a description of how completion of the fellowship will help accomplish career goals.

 The two-year fellowship will begin in August of 2016. The pay is $50,000 a year, plus benefits as well as an annual $2,500 allowance for research/ conference-related travel and expenses. In addition, the school will provide computers and computer support. During the period of the fellowship, the fellows are expected to be in residence, work with faculty on research projects, participate in research seminars in the school, and, as needed, teach one 7-week MBA course each year or otherwise contribute to the teaching and research mission of the school.

 The Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University is dedicated exclusively to graduate management education. It has an enrollment of over 500 full-time students in its full-time MBA, Health Care MBA, Executive MBA, Americas  MBA for Executives, Master of Science in Finance, Masters of Accountancy, and Masters of Management in Health Care programs. The school's 50 full-time faculty members are actively engaged in research, which is supported in part through the school's four research centers. Owen enrolls students from all parts of the United States and 30 countries.

 To apply, send a cover letter explaining your background and interest in working with specific Owen faculty member(s), c.v., three letters of recommendation, and a sample research paper to OrgStudiesPostdoc@owen.vanderbilt.edu. Please have letters sent directly. Candidates are encouraged to apply by March 1, 2016, but we will accept later applications as long as the position is not yet filled.  

Vanderbilt is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer