Postdoctoral Scholar - Biophilic Nature-Connected Urbanism

Posting Number PG191796PD · Position Number 00111548 · Department ID 120401 – Landscape Architecture · Position Type: Post Doc (FLSA Exempt) · Location: Raleigh, NC

About the role

The Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) seeks a postdoctoral research scholar to advance the emerging interdisciplinary field of biophilic nature‑connected urbanism: the planning, design, programming, research, and stewardship of interconnected urban green infrastructure that integrates ecological and human developmental systems, enabling meaningful relationships with nature across the life course and generations.

Nature‑based Solutions (NbS) provide a global framework, supported by international treaties and policy commitments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Social Determinants of Health. The position builds on NLI’s longstanding record of environment and behavior research and measurement; cross‑sector professional development; learning resource production; evidence‑based playful learning landscape design; universal co‑design; and environmental quality assessment.

The underlying premise is that regenerating biodiverse, interconnected urban green infrastructure, although essential, is insufficient to sustain a healthy planet. Urban environments must also enable people to experience, engage with, enjoy, understand, and care for nature in everyday life. For nature connectedness to become embedded in individual identity and transmitted across generations, experiences of nature must begin in early childhood and continue throughout life. Accordingly, early childhood facility naturalization and associated systems change remain a primary NLI focus.

A central research proposition is that nature connectedness develops through networks of everyday settings repeatedly experienced across the life course—including homes, neighborhoods, childcare facilities, schools, parks, greenways, urban forests, campuses, workplaces, and civic landscapes. Together, these settings constitute developmental green infrastructure, supporting ecological functions while nurturing lifelong, intergenerational relationships with nature, expressed through arts, science, and community engagement embedded in nature‑connected urban networks. In other words, urban landscapes must be planned, designed, managed, programmed, and assessed as ecological systems integrating nature and human development, inspiring cultural expression, to ensure intergenerational nature connectedness.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity not only to conduct research but to help define, test, measure, communicate, and establish biophilic nature‑connected urbanism as an emerging field of research and practice contributing to a nature‑connected society.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize research from relevant disciplines.
• Develop conceptual frameworks, research methods, measures, indicators, protocols, and measurement tools.
• Analyze existing NLI environmental assessment, behavior‑mapping, observational, survey, and post‑occupancy datasets.
• Design and conduct pilot field investigations across everyday socio‑cultural physical environments.
• Investigate ecological, spatial, experiential, developmental, and intergenerational dimensions of nature connectedness.
• Prepare co‑authored peer‑reviewed publications, conference papers, research briefs, and professional publications.
• Contribute to research proposals and external funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with the NLI communications team on videos, animations, podcasts, diagrams, infographics, webinars, and other audiovisual and public‑facing communication.
• Develop collaborations across NC State and with national and international research and practice partners.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent degree in landscape architecture, landscape/environmental design, urban design, urban planning, horticultural science, environmental psychology, environmental education, child development, public health, urban ecology, geography, sustainability science, or a closely related field.
• A prior degree in landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, landscape design, or similar built‑environment design degree.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent and collaborative research.
• Strong scholarly writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience with quantitative, qualitative, or mixed research methods.
• Ability to work effectively across disciplinary and professional boundaries.
• Interest in human–environment relationships and translating research into design, practice, policy, and public communication.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., DDes – Doctor of Design) awarded no more than five (5) years from the initial date of postdoctoral appointment.
• Peer‑reviewed publication experience.
• Literature review and research synthesis.
• Environmental assessment, observational research, behavior mapping, surveys, spatial analysis, GIS, or statistical analysis.
• Research related to nature connectedness, biophilic design, children’s environments, public health, urban ecology, green infrastructure, or nature‑based solutions.
• Development or validation of research measures and assessment tools.
• Field‑based environmental or human‑behavior research.
• Grant writing or collaborative proposal development.
• Communication of research through audiovisual, graphic, digital, or other public‑facing media.

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. with option of one remote day per week.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement and Leave
• Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
• Career enhancement through LEAD courses
• Free attendance at non‑revenue generating sporting events
• Work‑life balance support via Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs

Pay

Anticipated hiring range: $60,000.