Post Doctoral Associate

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement :

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work with the Bioenergy and Biotechnology Laboratory, led by Dr. Stephanie Lansing (https : / / agnr.umd.edu / about / directory / stephanie-lansing) at the University of Maryland in the Department of Environmental Science & Technology researching food diversion through life cycle assessment (LCA), techno-economic analysis (TEA), and policy analytics. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team that is developing an app for food diversion. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will oversee adding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions values for diversion strategies (donation, animal feed, composting, and anaerobic digestion) compared to landfilling of food waste and incorporate economic value to food diversion, including state and local tax incentives and relevant state policies.

This position announcement is for two Postdoctoral Research Associate positions. The first Postdoctoral Research Associate will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team that is developing an app for food diversion and will oversee adding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions values for diversion strategies (donation, animal feed, composting, and anaerobic digestion) compared to landfilling of food waste and incorporate economic value to food diversion, including state and local tax incentives and relevant state policies. The second Postdoctoral Research Associate will work with a team on food waste and grass co-digestion at the county-level and oversee a life cycle assessment (LCA) of food waste and yard waste diversion, effect of location, co-digestion ratios, and compare use of biogas between renewable natural gas or hydrogen for transportation.

Responsibilities :

Develop methods to incorporate greenhouse gas emissions, economic value, and policy into an app.

Analyze US state and local policies and tax incentives related to food waste diversion.

Create a searchable database of these polices that can be incorporated into an app.

Analyze the economic value of food diversion to pantries, composting, and anaerobic digestion.

Create a searchable database of food recovery cost savings that can be incorporated into an app.

Create GIS-based maps on food deserts, food insecurity, and food diversion options.

Develop database techniques to store and pull from large datasets across multiple teams.

Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual report writing and scientific publications.

Minimum Qualifications :

Background knowledge and experience in life cycle assessments (LCA), economic analyses,

policy, and GIS, including familiarity with SimaPro, OpenLCA, WARM, GREET, or AspenPlus.

Ph.D. in engineering, chemistry, environmental science, or relevant field with a focus on life cycle

assessments and economic analyses of waste diversion strategies and waste treatment.

Familiarity with state and local policies in the United States associated with greenhouse gas

emissions, composting, anaerobic digestion, landfills, and food diversion.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team environment.

Strong oral and written communication skills, including oral presentations at scientific conferences

and written peer-reviewed journal articles.

Ability to work in-person in Maryland

Physical Demands :

Minimal physical lifting (less than 20 lbs.) in the laboratory and field environment.

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials :

Interested applicants should prepare a CV, including list of publications, and a TWO page cover letter (single-spaced) that outlines the following :

1) your area of research interest,

2) relevant experience in waste diversion, food policy, LCA, TEA, GIS, SimaPro, OpenLCA, WARM, GREET, or AspenPlus and

3) how you meet each of the qualifications and responsibilities listed in the job description.

Best Consideration Date :

2 / 14 / 2025

Posting Close Date : No

Open Until Filled :

Financial Disclosure Required

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department

AGNR-Environmental Science & Technology

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

53,000.00 to $55,000.00 based on experience.

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO / AA Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer; all qualified applicants, including veterans and people with disabilities, will receive consideration for employment. UMD is actively engaged in recruiting, hiring, and promoting underrepresented communities. Please read the entire University of Maryland Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement of Policy.

Women, Minorities, Disabled, Veterans, and LGBTQ Welcome!

Diversity Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

The University of Maryland (UMD) does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities. Specifically, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in UMD programs and activities, including with respect to admission and employment.

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