Postdoctoral Research Associate - Corporate Climate Action and Social Tipping Points

Department

UNC Inst for the Environment - 635200

Posting Open Date

10/30/2025

Final date to receive applications

12/29/2025

Open Until Filled

No

Position Type

Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Corporate Climate Action and Social Tipping Points

Vacancy

PDS
004695

Full-time/Part-time

Full-Time Temporary

Hours per week

40

FTE

1

Work Location

Chapel Hill, NC

Position Location

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range

$65,000 - $72,000 annually

Proposed Start Date

02/02/2026

Estimated Duration of Appointment

12 Months

Be a Tar Heel!

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities and is among the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures and for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development. Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and toward our overall commitment to research excellence.

Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

Primary

Purpose of Organizational Unit

The UNC Institute for the Environment (IE) has a multifaceted mission: (1) To strengthen environmental research capacity across UNC by supporting a multi-disciplinary community of scholars that enhances collaboration, increases sharing of knowledge, and identifies solutions to the world’s critical environmental problems. (2) To work in partnership across UNC and with external partners to coordinate and deliver 21st century educational programs that provide students with the experience and skills to thrive in a growing global economy.

(3) To put new environmental knowledge into action by engaging and serving communities, here in North Carolina and around the world. (4) To fuel and harness the university’s sustainability activities through the Sustainable Carolina Initiative.

Position Summary

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.
The Data-Driven Enviro Lab (DDL) is an interdisciplinary and international research initiative based at UNC’s IE that is redefining how data is used to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Analyzing the global environment at multiple geographical and jurisdictional levels – from cities, countries, and regions to local communities and corporations – we turn complex, large-scale, and often messy datasets into actionable insights that shape policy, drive accountability, and create real-world impact.

We operate with a commitment to evidence-based, equitable solutions, building connections across disciplines, sectors, and geographies while giving special attention to underrepresented communities and data-scarce regions in the Global South. DDL was founded and is led by Associate Professor Angel Hsu.
The DDL is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to an interdisciplinary research initiative to study corporate climate action and its potential to catalyze social tipping points (i.e., nonlinear shifts in societal norms, policy, technology uptake, and consumer behavior) that will accelerate climate action beyond a company’s direct emissions footprint. The Postdoctoral Research…