JOB POSTING – POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Area of Research: Greenhouse gas emissions; information and behavioral science; discrete choice experiments
Overview of Position:
You will be joining a team of researchers and government partners and knowledge users on a project to examine how framing of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions information can influence vehicle choice. It will apply behavioural economics theories to how GHG emissions information is presented for new cars in Canada and will use discrete choice modeling (including latent class modeling) to determine the different willingness-to-pay impacts. The project is led by Owen Waygood of Université Laval and École Polytechnique de Montréal. The research team is comprised of Zachary Patterson (Urban Planning; Concordia University), Pénélope Daignault (Communications; Université Laval), Ricardo Daziano (Civil Engineering; Cornell University), and Matthew Feinberg (Social Psychology; University of Toronto). Transport Canada is the project partner, and they are joined by Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Transports Québec. The team is seeking a candidate capable of developing and administering a discrete choice experiment and conducting latent class modeling. The candidate will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge in behavioural economics.
We are seeking a candidate for two years (fall 2018 to summer 2020). The postdoctoral fellow will be based at École Polytechnique de Montréal, in Montreal, Canada. Montreal was recently voted the best city in the world for students (2017 QS Best Student City rankings). Polytechnique has a number of world-class professors in the transportation field, offering the chance for the candidate to increase or improve their network, discuss ideas, and enrich their research experience. Polytechnique Montreal is within the campus of University of Montreal, which is close to downtown Montreal. Montreal has a very rich history and is a gorgeous, bilingual (French, English), multicultural, live city in the Canadian province of Quebec with a population of above 2 millions. The city is also known as “fun city” with many touristic attractions in the city and beautiful nature all around. The city is host to several Festivals (Jazz, just for laugh) mostly in summers and many other activities and events.
Description of Duties
The main task for the position will be related to development, administration and analysis of a discrete choice experiment. The intent is for the postdoctoral fellow to contribute to the first planned survey in the fall of 2018, and then lead the analysis. The candidate will then contribute in a much more active role for the development of the second planned experiment. The candidate will have funding for attending conferences to present work on this project. The candidate will work with Dr. Waygood and a research assistant with the organization of a workshop in spring 2019 and a symposium in 2020.
Required qualifications:
- PhD degree in economics, engineering, planning, geography or related field awarded within the past 5 years;
- Extensive knowledge of discrete choice experiments and modeling (including latent class modeling);
- Excellent written and oral communication in English;
- Excellent personal time management, project management and organizational skills;
- Possess a strong interest in climate change;
- Be imaginative and open to testing different theories related to individual choice behaviour.
Salary: $40,000 + social benefits. The possibility of a paid internship exists which could add an additional $15,000.
Application instructions
All individuals interested in this position must submit a cover letter and short research statement, a CV, and contact info for two references to Owen Waygood (owen.waygood@esad.ulaval.ca) by the closing date. Please email materials in a single PDF with the subject line: GHG_influences PDF Application.
Closing date: Screening of applications will commence on July 15th and continue until the position is filled.
Supervisors: Profs. Owen Waygood, Zachary Patterson, Pénélope Daignault, Ricardo Daziano, and Matthew Feinberg
Expected start date: September, 2018 (with some flexibility)
Term: 2 years
FTE: 1 Full-time equivalent
The normal hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow (pro-rated for those holding a partial appointment) recognizing that the needs of the employee’s research and training and the needs of the supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the employee’s duties and hours of work.
