The Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Consortium (MW CASC) invites Statements of Interest from eligible applicants for research projects that inform high-priority natural or cultural resource management issues that can benefit from climate adaptation science and traditional knowledges and that respond to priority science topics identified by each region.   

Eligibility for non-U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigators is determined by the host and consortium structure within specific CASC regions. Within the Midwest CASC region, non-USGS proposals must have a primary investigator from one of the following institutions: College of Menominee Nation, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, Indiana University, Michigan State University, The Nature Conservancy, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and University of Wisconsin Madison. 

For an overview of the solicitation process and information about timelines, please visit the Smartsheet CASC Solicitation Guidance landing page.  From the main page, you can navigate to the full solicitation guidance for Consortium-Affiliated (non-USGS) applicants.  On the right side of the page are links to the regional CASC priorities, including the Midwest CASC regional priorities: this page contains links to upcoming webinars, information on eligibility, federal and consortium contacts, estimated project funding amounts and durations, and the science priorities for FY25 funding.   

All Statements of Interest (SOIs) must be submitted through the Smartsheet submission portal by Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 5 p.m. Eastern, (4 p.m. Central). 

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) as part of the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (MW CASC), a Center funded by the U.S. Geological Survey and comprising academic and partner institutions in Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana (https://mwcasc.umn.edu/). MW CASC is part of a national network of regional Centers that teams scientists with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to help fish, wildlife, water, land, and people adapt to a changing climate. The consortium’s vision is to advance climate adaptation science and practice across all components of the climate adaptation cycle by pursuing region-specific, collaborative, synthesis projects that build on past work, provide new resources and tools, and catalyze adaptation capacity across the Midwest.

The UIUC-based Postdoctoral Fellow will serve as the principal analyst and researcher for the Consortium’s synthesis project intended to identify climate refugia in the Midwestern United States. To accomplish this goal, the postdoc will: 1) consult with and coordinate with appropriate academic researchers, agency personnel, and tribal groups to define climate refugia by criteria specific to the landscapes, ecosystems, and societal diversity of the MW CASC region; 2) determine where these refugia are, or might be, located under contrasting climate scenarios and landscapes that are comparatively natural, predominantly agricultural, and urban/peri urban; and 3) develop a virtual atlas that depicts these refugia throughout the MW CASC region and  develop accessible platforms for the dissemination of analyses.  The postdoc will also be expected to lead data analysis, organize workshops, and develop senior-authored manuscripts as outputs from these activities.  Research outcomes will be co-produced with non-academic partners to support the implementation of research findings in environmental decision-making and will require partner engagement and regular briefings. 

The postdoc will work closely with Professors Jeff Brawn, Cory Suski, and Michael J. Aiuvalasit on the  Illinois campus, and with a regional synthesis working group that includes consortium members and state, federal, and tribal partners.  Whereas it is hoped that the postdoc will work in-person on the Illinois campus, the potential exists for remote work for this position. The postdoc will be expected to interact in-person with the synthesis project’s working group at annual MW CASC meetings, workshops, and other appropriate events. 

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent in an appropriate discipline by the position’s start date.   
• Strong background in geospatial analysis and modeling
• Proficiency with one or more GIS software platforms (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, QGIS)
• Proficiency with one or more relevant programming languages (e.g., R, Python)

Desired Skills/Knowledge:

• Experience building geospatial web applications (e.g., ArcGIS Online or R Shiny, JavaScript)
• Experience working with the Google Earth Engine or with remote sensing software (e.g., ENVI, Erdas Imagine, etc.)
• Experience with climate modeling
• Strong English communication skills (speaking and writing) and experience working with diverse groups of stakeholders. 
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently. 

The position is available for two years; however, annual renewal is dependent on funding and progress made by the individual. This position includes a competitive salary. Various benefits are available dependent on U.S. citizenship or visa status.

Application review will begin May 6, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. The start date is flexible, but ideally by July 15, 2024. Applications should include a brief cover letter that clearly identifies the applicant’s experience and skills relevant to the position as described above, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for three references. Please put “MW CASC postdoc application” in the subject line of your email to Brawn, jbrawn@illinois.edu. For further information about the position, please contact Brawn.

Illinois is an Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu) The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer (https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/policy/policy_library/u_of_i_system_policy_on_background_checks).

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

The National Science Foundation's Sustainable Regional Systems Research Networks is a program to support fundamental convergent research, education, and outreach that addresses engineering, chemistry, biology, geosciences, mathematics, statistics, environmental, data, computational, education, and social, behavioral, and economic sciences of sustainable regional systems in partnerships that may embrace universities, colleges, federal, state, and local governments, tribal communities, non-governmental and international bodies, non-profit organizations, industry, practitioners, and other community groups. 

• Award Size: Up to $15,000,000
• Duration: Five years
• Due Date: May 15, 2024
• Additional Requirements: Proposals must include either/or ...

1. 1. If the team of core organizations include academic organizations, then at least one must be a university or college that serves populations of students historically underrepresented in STEM. To qualify as a core partner organization, there must be financial support for a minimum of three faculty members participating in the SRS RN along with financial support for a minimum of three students.
   2. A core partner, such as a community group, a non-profit, or other group/organization that supports an underrepresented community within the scope of the proposed research project. To qualify as a core partner organization, they must be allocated a minimum of 10% of the total budget request for the entire SRS RN.

Full Solicitation: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/sustainable-regional-systems-research-networks-srs/nsf24-533/solicitation

If researchers are interested and pursuing this opportunity, have an interdisciplinary team (at least two campus units), and iSEE can support this endeavor (including helping bring an interdisciplinary team together, business office support, etc.), please reach out to Heidi Leerkamp to discuss the ways iSEE can support your team and proposal development.