Postdoctoral Associate, Nature-based Solutions & Climate Migration

Description

The Urban Systems Lab at New York University is seeking an outstanding Postdoctoral Associate to support research at the intersection of urban flood risk, climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, and climate-related migration, with a primary focus on work supported by the Kresge Foundation’s Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) program. The position will contribute to applied, policy-relevant research examining how flood hazards and community-driven adaptation strategies shape urban vulnerability, resilience, and population mobility, particularly in frontline and historically marginalized communities.

The Postdoctoral Associate will work within an interdisciplinary research environment that integrates climate science, urban ecology, spatial analysis, social science, and planning. Core research themes include urban flood risk assessment under climate change, the design and evaluation of nature-based and hybrid adaptation strategies, and the social, economic, and governance dimensions of climate-induced displacement and migration.

This role offers a unique opportunity to conduct rigorous, actionable research that informs local and regional decision-making, and national conversations on climate adaptation and equity. The Postdoctoral Associate will collaborate closely with Urban Systems Lab faculty and researchers, external partners, and practitioners, and will contribute to high-impact publications, funder reports, and policy-facing outputs. The position will report to the Urban Systems Lab’s Director, Dr. Timon McPhearson.

The Postdoctoral Associate will:

• Contribute to flood risk analysis and climate impact assessments

• Support research on urban climate adaptation strategies, with particular emphasis on the planning, performance, and equity implications of nature-based solutions and hybrid green-gray infrastructure.

• Conduct research on climate-related migration

• Develop and apply spatial, statistical, or mixed-methods approaches to analyze urban climate risk, adaptation pathways, and social outcomes across cities and regions.

• Work closely with interdisciplinary teams at the Urban Systems Lab and with external partners

• Contribute to white papers, peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, funder reports

• Support mentoring and supervision of graduate research assistants and contribute to the Lab’s broader research mission.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $70,000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Climate Science, Urban Planning, Geography, Urban Ecology, Public Policy, Sociology, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated research experience related to climate risk, flood hazards, climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, and/or climate-related migration.

• Strong quantitative, spatial, or mixed-methods skills, including experience with GIS, statistical analysis, or large environmental and social datasets.

• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications or advanced manuscripts in preparation.

• Excellent writing, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.

• Experience working on applied or policy-relevant research projects is strongly preferred.

Application Instructions

Please include current CV, cover letter and proof of degree

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant