Sustainable Solutions Initiative Postdoctoral Fellows Program  - Positions available The University of Maine is conducting a search for Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Fellows.  The successful candidates will join Maine’s Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) funded in part by a 5-year, $20 million NSF EPSCoR grant. SSI includes a team of 50+ faculty and 25 doctoral students from a range of disciplines and multiple academic institutions statewide. SSI’s innovative research program integrates coupled natural and human systems modeling, stakeholder engagement, and solutions-oriented research activities. Organized under a theme of landscape change, SSI supports multiple research projects focused on urbanization, forest ecosystem management, and climate/energy challenges. Collectively, these projects speak to various sustainability science challenges and present a unique opportunity to advance the field of sustainability science. A major thrust of SSI is to produce a new generation of scientists who are equipped to work across disciplinary boundaries and adept at collaborative, problem-solving work that spans research and practice. SSI is recruiting a cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows with tentative start dates ranging from Oct. 2011 to April 2012. These initial appointments will be for a one-year duration with an opportunity for renewal. Responsibilities:We seek postdoctoral fellows who can align themselves with one or more ongoing research teams and are willing to assume broad research responsibilities. The postdoctoral fellows will be expected to participate in ongoing team projects and SSI-wide research activities; core research responsibilities will include planning and completion of research tasks, preparation of manuscripts for publication in collaboration with SSI researchers, and presentation of research findings at public and professional meetings. Fellows will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of SSI curricula and mentoring programs for graduate and undergraduate students. Qualifications: A Ph.D. with specialization in biological or earth sciences, communication, engineering, mathematics, natural resource management, public policy, social sciences or a closely related technical or scientific discipline is required by the time of appointment. Preference will be given to candidates with experience working on interdisciplinary research teams. Applications:Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to support their research programs, produce high-quality scholarship and publications, and advance the SSI research program. Applications must include all of the following materials for consideration: (1) a written statement (2-3 pages) that summarizes both the candidate’s research goals and interests in sustainability science and the candidate’s capacity and plan for completing the Fellowship responsibilities; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) undergraduate and graduate transcripts; (4) a sample of research (e.g., peer-reviewed publications); and (5) names and contact information of four professional references. Please send materials in PDF form to carol.hamel@umit.maine.edu or in hard copy form to Carol Hamel, Senator George J. Mitchell Center, 5710 Norman Smith Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Review of applications will begin August 31, 2011. For more details on SSI, visit the project website at: http://www.umaine.edu/sustainabilitysolutions/ The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to maintaining an intellectually and culturally diverse faculty and staff.