Postdoctoral Associate - Forest Bioenergy, Environmental & Health Co-benefits

About the role

The Postdoctoral Associate will work on a research project examining the environmental, health, and economic co-benefits of forest-based bioenergy and sustainable forest utilization in the Southern Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic region. The position focuses on developing and applying an integrated, spatially explicit modeling framework that links forest resource utilization, life-cycle emissions, air quality, public health outcomes, and economic valuation to support policy-relevant analysis of renewable energy and forest management strategies.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to interdisciplinary data integration, modeling, and peer-reviewed publication under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
• Develop and apply an integrated, spatially explicit modeling framework linking forest resource utilization, life-cycle emissions, air quality, public health outcomes, and economic valuation.
• Conduct independent, reproducible research.
• Experience with life-cycle assessment, environmental modeling, or sustainability analysis.
• Programming experience in R, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in environmental economics, resource economics, forestry, environmental science, energy systems, public health, or a closely related field. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, reproducible research.
• Experience with data analysis and modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with life-cycle assessment, environmental modeling, or sustainability analysis.
• Familiarity with air-quality or health-impact assessment approaches.
• Programming experience in R, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Evidence of peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts in preparation related to environmental, energy, or sustainability research.

Pay, Benefits, and Schedule

Pay Band {lPayScaleID} Overtime Status Exempt: Not eligible for overtime Appointment Type Restricted Salary Information $55,000-$60,000 Hours per week 40 Review Date March 9, 2026

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.