Columbia University Climate School Postdoc Research Program Scholarship 2023-2024.Through the Climate School Postdoctoral Research program, Columbia University’s Climate School supports the scholarship needed to tackle climate change and its related global challenges. The Climate School works to offer solutions through transdisciplinary research, partnerships, education, innovative technology, building knowledge, and the sharing of ideas.
The Climate School Postdoctoral Research program is the premier program in the world for those dedicated to a better understanding of critical scientific and social issues in Climate as well as in global sustainable development. Climate School Postdoctoral Researchers will join multidisciplinary teams of outstanding, committed scientists to advance our scientific understanding of these challenges and develop practical responses to address them.
Successful postdoctoral candidates are matched with Principal Investigators and mentors from across the Climate School, including the Climate School’s research centers and programs, the Lamont-Doherty’s Earth Observatory, Columbia University Medical Center, and other affiliated schools and departments.
Start Date and Duration: Climate School Postdocs are appointed for twenty-four months and appointments typically begin on September 1. However, depending on individual circumstances, as well as the needs of a postdoc’s host research unit, appointments may begin as early as July 1.
Application Opens: Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 1, 2023, by 5pm Eastern Time
Reference Letter Deadline: Wednesday, November 8, 2023, by 5pm Eastern Time
Funding: Climate School Postdocs will receive an annual salary of $71,640. They are also awarded a research stipend of $12,000 over the two-year term for reimbursable expenses related to the appointment. These funds can be used for relocation and moving expenses, as well as for computers, travel, conference, journal, book, software, equipment, and other research costs.
External Funding: CCS Postdocs are encouraged to participate in the development and submission of research proposals in cooperation with their mentors, host research units, or other researchers. When doing so, they must follow all Columbia University rules applicable to postdoctoral scholars.
Visas: Columbia University only grants limited-term J1 visas for non-US citizens. Read more information on Columbia’s visa eligibility policies online.
Benefits: CCS Postdocs are considered Officers of Research and are eligible for benefits provided by Columbia University for full-time employees. For more information, please visit Columbia’s Office of Human Resources online. The rules, regulations, and policies that govern employment at Columbia are also listed on the website.
Orientation: A series of information sessions and visits to Climate School research units.
Spring and Fall Symposia: Two public symposia per year in which both first-year and second-year postdocs present their research and participate in discussions with the audience. The symposia provided a great opportunity for postdocs to engage the Columbia research community as well as the larger public in innovative research in sustainable development.
Postdoctoral Seminars: A seminar series in which each postdoc presents her or his ongoing research. Visiting speakers also participate in the seminars. Postdocs may also coordinate group projects that are designed, discussed, and implemented during these times. The meetings are informal and designed to foster interdisciplinary and problem-solving discussions among CCS Postdocs, faculty, and researchers. Lunch is provided.
Other Climate School Seminar Series: Climate School Postdocs receive invitations to other events and speaker series at Columbia, including those sponsored by the Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC), Earth Engineering Center (EEC), and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN).
Questions? Email postdocs@climate.columbia.edu
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, candidates must have received their doctoral degrees (Ph.D., M.D. or J.D.) within five years prior to the start of the appointment. All doctoral requirements must be fulfilled and the degree awarded before the start of the appointment. People holding current positions with rank above post-doctoral scientist are not eligible for appointment under university rules. Those holding current post-doc positions should contact our office to determine eligibility. The program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. Columbia University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
Application
Deadline: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 by 5pm Eastern Time
To apply to the program candidates must submit the following documents:
- Online Application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Brief Personal History
- Research Proposal
- 3 Recommendation Letters
In addition to submitting the application and proposal, applicants are encouraged, but not required, to contact their desired multidisciplinary mentoring team, i.e. two or more senior faculty members or research scientists/scholars at Columbia University with whom they would like to work during their appointment. Please note that an endorsement from a faculty member or researcher does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Brief Personal History Format
Two (2) page maximum, double-spaced; one-inch margins, minimum 11 point standard font. The personal statement should include the following elements based on their relevance to your situation
- Brief personal introduction and research statement.
- Paragraph in your personal statement that addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Summary of any discussions you have had with potential mentors. Note: endorsement from a faculty member or researcher does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
- Explanation of gaps in employment or studies (these will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
- Prior postdoctoral positions – Columbia University policy only allows a cumulative maximum of 3 years in a postdoctoral position, whether held at or outside of the university. If you have prior postdoc experience, please contact Gabby Cohen to discuss your application.
Recommendation Letters
Three (3) recommendation letters are required by Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 5pm Eastern Time. Once an application is successfully submitted, the references listed will receive an email with the Applicant ID and the link to upload their letter.
Note: We strongly recommend informing your references of the request for a letter in advance of submitting your application. We also recommend following up with your references after you have applied to ensure that they have received the information to upload their letter.
Research Proposal Format
Five (5) page maximum; double-spaced; one-inch margins; minimum 11 point standard font.
Bibliographic references are required but not counted toward the 5-page maximum. They should be included in the same document.
The research proposal should address how the proposed work will contribute to the goal of global sustainable development. Proposals may suggest participating in, contributing to, or extending existing multidisciplinary Climate School projects. Candidates are also encouraged to develop new, innovative projects that connect Climate School expertise.
Research Foci and Mentors
Research foci are determined by the postdocs themselves. Thus, Climate School Postdocs play an active, independent role in developing their own areas of expertise and research agendas. Candidates are encouraged to review the list of the Climate School’s research units and relevant Columbia University and Barnard College departments to see the breadth of potential mentors and collaborators actively engaged in research at the university.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to identify and contact a mentor prior to applying. Candidates are also encouraged to scope additional members of the Columbia Climate School who hold the rank of Assistant Professor / Research Scientist or higher. For a list of faculty and researchers who have expressed an interest in mentoring a postdoctoral researcher, please click here.
Selection Procedure
Applications are reviewed by the Climate School Postdoctoral Selection Committee, which is composed of senior Climate School faculty from across the Institute. Care is taken to ensure that all of the Climate School’s core disciplines are represented in the Committee.
An initial, rigorous review of the applications examines several factors, including the following:
- Strength of the research proposal
- Relevance to the Climate School’s mission and research themes
- Interdisciplinary and collaborative potential
- Practice/policy/community engagement relevance
- Previous academic experience
- Strength of academic/professional references
Applications that merit further consideration are moved forward to the directors of one or more relevant Climate School research units. Based on feedback received from the research units, the Selection Committee reevaluates the applications in great detail before reaching a final decision.
Decisions
Appointments will be announced in March 2024.
Official website: Columbia University Climate School Postdoc Research Program Scholarship 2023-2024.
