Duke University, NSOE-ESS & MSC

Position ID:

Duke-NSOE-ESS & MSC-SCALES_POSTDOC_FAN [#31562, 51211529]

Position Title:

Postdoctoral Associate

Position Type:

Postdoctoral

Position Location:

Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States of America

Subject Areas:

Environmental Economics, Policy, and Science
Development Economics / Resource Economics
Education / Course Design
Climate Change
Environmental Studies / Natural Resources Science and Management

Appl Deadline:

2026/02/15 11:59PM help popup

(posted 2026/01/22, listed until 2026/03/15)

Position Description:

POSITION SUMMARY: The SCALES (Scholars for Climate and Advanced Leadership in Environment and Sustainability) Postdoctoral Fellows Program at Duke University seeks early-career scholars committed to interdisciplinary research, education, and leadership in climate, environment, and sustainability. This position supports a faculty-mentored research agenda focused on climate risk, resilience planning, and adaptation finance. The Fellow will collaborate with faculty mentors on an interdisciplinary project, contribute to climate-focused teaching and engagement, and participate in cohort-based professional development across the university.

ABOUT THE SCALES POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS PROGRAM: The SCALES Postdoctoral Fellows Program is a newly launched cohort-based initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in climate and sustainability research and education. Fellows join a vibrant interdisciplinary community, participate in professional development activities, and collaborate across departments to advance Duke’s Climate Commitment. The program emphasizes faculty-mentored research, teaching innovation, and public engagement, providing Fellows with resources and networks to launch impactful careers. To learn more about the SCALES Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, visit our program page: https://climate.duke.edu/what-were-doing/scales-postdoctoral-fellows-program/

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

RESEARCH COLLABORATION: The SCALES Postdoctoral Fellow will co-develop and lead a faculty-mentored interdisciplinary research project addressing a significant climate, environment, or sustainability challenge. A final research proposal and budget will be developed jointly with the mentoring team following the Fellow’s arrival, allowing flexibility for the Fellow to shape the project’s direction and methods.

The preliminary description of the research project is as follows:

The Fellow will lead an interdisciplinary research project titled “Beyond Avoided Damages: Linking Risk, Behavior, and Finance in Climate Resilience Planning.” The project examines how flood risk and resilience investments influence economic behavior, real estate markets, and municipal fiscal capacity, and how these dynamics can be leveraged to value and finance climate resilience at scale.

We seek a Fellow with a strong background in applied economics or finance who is eager to collaborate with engineers, climate scientists, economists, and policy scholars. Working with faculty mentors and partners through RESILE (Risk Science for Climate Resilience), CIRCAD (Center for Innovation in Risk, Catastrophes and Decisions), the Nicholas Institute, and the Economics department, the Fellow will: - Lead empirical analyses linking flood risk, resilience investments, and urban economic outcomes; - Examine fiscal and financial feedback, including impacts on property values, tax revenues, and insurance markets; and - Collaborate on the development of an integrated modeling and decision-support framework that links risk, behavioral, and finance.

TEACHING & ENGAGEMENT: The Fellow will contribute to Duke’s Climate & Sustainability Fluency Framework through curricular innovation, student mentorship, and applied engagement. Teaching responsibilities will emphasize module development and co-teaching rather than independent course ownership.

Specifically, the Fellow will develop and pilot a cross-listed module on Valuing and Financing Climate Resilience, with mentorship from the Department of Economics and collaboration across Trinity, Nicholas, Pratt, Fuqua, Sanford Schools. The Fellow will also mentor students through Climate+ and Bass Connections projects and co-design applied workshops with RESILE and the Nicholas Institute to engage municipal and industry partners in resilience valuation and decision-support applications. These activities will advance SCALES’s goal of cultivating climate scholars who connect research with real-world impact.

SCALES COHORT PARTICIPATION: Engage in cohort-wide programming, seminars, and networking events organized by the Office of Climate and Sustainability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

- Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in a relevant field, including but not limited to environmental economics, urban economics, finance, public policy, data science, or urban planning. Applicants from environmental science or engineering who possess strong economic and causal inference skills are also encouraged to apply.

- Degree must be conferred by the start of the fellowship. Applicants should be no more than two years past Ph.D. as of July 1, 2026.

- Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary research addressing climate, environment, and/or sustainability challenges.

PREFERRED:

- Strong quantitative skills in applied economic or financial analysis, including experience with causal inference and large-scale data sets. - Experience working in interdisciplinary or applied research settings involving policy, planning, or external partners.

PROGRAM DETAILS & BENEFITS:

This is a full-time position available with an initial appointment of one year, renewable for up to two additional years contingent on satisfactory performance. The start date is flexible between July 1 and September 1, 2026.

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000. Fellows will also have access to up to $10,000 in professional development funds each year.

Duke University offers a competitive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement contributions, employee discounts, vacation and sick time, and more. Please review Duke University’s Benefits Program website and the Summary of Postdoctoral Status and Benefits for more information.

Fellows are additionally supported by the Office of Postdoctoral Services.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

- Cover letter that addresses your interest in the position, your research, teaching, and external engagement experience, and how this opportunity aligns with your career goals.

- Curriculum Vitae

- Job Market Paper (or Recent Publication)

- Contact information for three references

Priority will be given to applications received by February 15, 2026.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Job Market Paper or Recent Publication
Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses )

And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:

https://climate.duke.edu/what-were-doing/scales-postdoctoral-fellows-program/ https://scholars.duke.edu/person/yichun.fan

Grainger Hall
9 Circuit Drive, Box 90328
Durham, NC 27708