Job Abstract

The UC Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) seeks applications for a postdoctoral scholar in the area of Participatory Science Outreach and Education, at 100% time with an expected Fall 2024 start. The UCMP is a research unit on the UC Berkeley campus and its mission is to investigate and promote the understanding of the history of life and the diversity of the Earth’s biota through research and education. UCMP has a long history of developing online educational resources for broad audiences including the Understanding Evolution, Understanding Science, and Understanding Global Change websites. The FieldScope Project, led by BSCS Science Learning in collaboration with scientists at UC Berkeley, is developing a map-based data collection platform for supporting community and citizen science projects across the country to engage in making sense of environmental data. This work is funded by a 2-year grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

This is a mentored research opportunity during which we will investigate the kinds of support and resources needed to engage communities in the process of science to answer meaningful questions and solve local problems. The postdoctoral scholar will work with various environmental projects across the country to develop tools and resources that can help communities design scientific investigations, and support scientists in effectively partnering in community-driven research. Professor Charles Marshall, Director of UCMP, will serve as the faculty supervisor for the postdoctoral scholar.

This position is eligible for remote work within the United States.

Responsibilities:

The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to work as part of a team to support diverse participatory science projects as they onboard and use the FieldScope data collection and analysis platform, recruit new projects to the platform, lead the testing of the platform as it is updated and refined, and co-develop data literacy teaching and learning materials with the FieldScope team and collaborators. The scholar should be comfortable designing and engaging in scientific investigations, analyzing and interpreting diverse forms of environmental data related to biodiversity, biogeography, water and air quality, and land use, and helping collaborators, including those with limited science backgrounds, engage in meaningful, data-driven learning. The scholar will be expected to work with scientists, educators, and community participants across the country, co-design and co-facilitate workshops, and present at meetings (both scientific and educational), as well as engage in other outreach activities. This is a unique postdoctoral experience for the academic who is interested in supporting participatory science, informal and formal education and outreach, as well as how to support a public understanding of the process of science and how data can be used to inform community actions and for communicating about complex ideas. The applicant must have a strong understanding of ecology and environmental science, climate and global change-related science, and data analysis in order to support the use and development of the FieldScope platform. The postdoc will present their findings in publications and at regional and national scientific and educational conferences.

PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program

? A PhD or equivalent international degree.
? No more than 2 years of post-degree research experience by start date.

? A PhD in the biological, environmental or geological sciences with an emphasis in ecology or Earth systems is highly desirable.
? Experience mentoring undergraduate, K-12 students, or community members to design scientific investigations preferred.
? Experience designing software with experience responding to user needs preferred.
? Experience writing grant proposals preferred.
? Experience with GIS software, such as ArcGIS and QGIS, preferred.
? Experience designing and writing websites, including at least limited experience with WordPress and HTML preferred.
? Demonstrated superb communication and research skills and ability to complete assignments on short deadlines.
? Demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate about complex scientific data and concepts to make ideas accessible to the lay public.
? Experience creating data visualizations and running statistical analyses required.
? Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
? Must have an understanding of editorial and software development processes. Many revisions and iterations on resources are required and the candidate must be amenable to this process and willing to positively accept and respond to feedback from team members and collaborators. A computer science background is not necessary.
? Proficient communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. This job will require daily engagement with platform users and community and citizen science project leaders, and the ideal candidate enjoys working and coordinating with diverse teams of scientists, educators, and community members.
? Experience working with educators, developing lesson plans, curriculum, and/or workshops.

• 3-5 letters of reference required

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.