Make it happen here.

The Gund Institute hosts exceptional postdoctoral scholars who conduct research on major global environmental challenges. Our scholars connect interdisciplinary research to real-world issues in environment and sustainability. Postdocs affiliated with the Gund Institute either come from across UVM or are funded directly through the Gund Institute.

The Gund Institute is committed to building an inclusive environment where diverse voices and perspectives are active and welcome. We encourage applicants who bring diverse perspectives to our community.

Gund postdocs pursue rigorous, original research that spans traditional disciplines and advances Gund research themes. Most Gund postdocs are two-year positions, have an annual salary based on experience, plus benefits, and a discretionary fund for research costs and travel. Postdocs also benefit from professional development opportunities, including communications and policy training.

Current Opportunities

  • The Postdoctoral Fellow in Climate Impact Assessment will help standardize practices in climate assessment through social and natural science approaches.  Collaborating with a large team of interdisciplinary partners and reporting to Climate Measurements Center of Excellence Director Gillian Galford, they build tools for assessment and contribute to the national capacity for climate impact measurement. This will include topics such as developing standardized protocols for needs assessment, mixed methods analyses, and interdisciplinary study. The Climate Impact Assessment Fellow will take a leadership role with diverse national partners to understand the approaches and challenges to current sub-national climate assessment work and to gather and promote the best practices.
  • The Postdoctoral Fellow in Climate Impacts in Food Systems will help develop standardized assessment frameworks, methods, and measurements for climate change impact and adaptation in food systems with the Climate Measurements Center of Excellence. Working with an interdisciplinary team led by Dr. Eric Roy, the fellow will engage with topics such as monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, links between agricultural practices and outcomes for climate adaptation, climate- and management-related losses of nitrogen and phosphorus to water in agricultural settings, life cycle assessment of food systems, and economic factors affecting farmer decisions in the context of climate adaptation.

About the Gund Institute

The Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont is a research center dedicated to understanding and tackling the world’s most critical environmental challenges. Driven by the belief that research should inspire action, the Institute takes a cross-sector approach to solving environmental issues with stakeholders from government, business, and broader society. The Institute focuses on five interconnected research themes: climate solutions, sustainable agriculture, health and well-being, equity and justice, and resilient communities. With over 250 scholars in Vermont and across the world, the Institute brings together a network of internationally recognized researchers from diverse disciplines, including the natural and social sciences, business, health, technology, engineering, and the humanities.

About the University of Vermont

Since 1791, the University of Vermont has worked to move humankind forward. Today, UVM is a Public Ivy and top 100 research university of a perfect size, large enough to offer a breadth of ideas, resources, and opportunities, yet small enough to enable close faculty-student mentorship across all levels of study, from bachelor’s to M.D. programs. Here, students’ educational experience and activities are enriched by our location — from the energy and innovation of Burlington to the forests, farms, and independent spirit of Vermont. UVM provides students endless ways to explore the world, challenge ideas, and dig in on the most pressing issues of our time.

Nomination Process

Join our interdisciplinary community as a Gund Postdoctoral Fellow via the nomination process below:

  • Postdoctoral Fellows must be pursuing postdoctoral research with at least one Fellow or Affiliate at UVM.
  • The nomination process consists of: a short email from a nominator familiar with the Gund Institute or the nominee to the Gund Institute Director of Operations and Programs (julianna.m.white@uvm.edu) and a CV and a letter of interest submitted via InfoReady (Julianna will send the InfoReady link to nominees).
  • Decisions are based on relevance of research interests and potential to contribute to collaborative scholarship at the Institute.
  • The Director of Operations and Programs will request a short recommendation from the nominee’s advisor.
  • The nomination period is rolling. Nominations submitted by the last day of class of the fall and spring semesters will be reviewed and decisions announced at the beginning of the following semester.
  • The Director of Operations and Programs makes recommendations to the Director, who makes final appointment decisions.

Individuals supported by Gund Postdoctoral Awards are automatically appointed as Postdoctoral Fellows of the Institute.

Benefits

  • Participate in collaborative research efforts among Gund community members.
  • Access to communications support.
  • Access to policy and partnership support.
  • Voice in setting Institute direction through Graduate/Postdoc meetings and retreats.
  • Access to Gund workshops and seminars.
  • Access to Farrell Hall facilities & resources.
  • Professional development opportunities.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate regularly with Gund community on transdisciplinary research.
  • Participate regularly in Gund seminars and events.
  • Participate in Postdoc Fellows meetings.
  • Participate in Gund Leadership Academy.
  • Communicate Gund affiliation in websites, emails, publications, and social media.
  • Acknowledge Gund financial support when appropriate.

Explore Gund Postdoc Research

Gund postdocs like Drew Christ—who revealed Greenland ice's vulnerability to climate change—lead innovative research and make global headlines. Explore Gund Postdoc stories.

See previous PhD and postdoctoral recipients here.

Interested?

Enter your email for alerts about future Gund postdoctoral fellowship opportunities. 

Questions?

Contact Julianna White.