Call for applications - Postdoctoral researcher in rural demography

Call for applications, Postdoctoral researcher in rural demography

Applications are invited for a position as a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre on Population Dynamics, McGill University, Québec, Canada, under the supervision of Shelley Clark, James McGill Professor of Sociology. The initial appointment will be for one year but the appointment may be renewed for a second year based on performance.

Substantive Focus

The position will focus on rural and urban inequalities in North America, specifically the U.S. and Canada. Research will examine rural-urban differences with respect to one or more of the following substantive areas: family dynamics, fertility, health, transitions to adulthood, internal migration, education, and poverty.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will primarily entail working collaboratively on Professor Clark’s existing research pertaining to rural America as well as developing new related projects, which may be led by the postdoctoral researcher. These activities include literature reviews, data management, coding, and cleaning, data analysis, drafting papers for publication, and presentation of results. The position does not entail any teaching.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates are required to hold a Ph.D. in sociology, demography, social geography, public health, or a related field prior to the expected start date. Prior experience working on rural issues is preferred, but not required, given sufficient knowledge of one or more of the substantive areas. Candidates must have strong statistical skills, extensive experience working with complex quantitative data, and excellent Stata and/or R programming skills and experience. Experience working with one or more nationally representative, longitudinal studies in the U.S. or Canada is preferred. Training in basic geographical software is also an asset. Candidates must work well in a collaborative research environment. Excellent ability to communicate in English, both spoken and written, is essential. Knowledge of French is not required but is an advantage.

Position

Depending on the candidate's availability the position may begin as early as January 4, 2021, but no later than July 5, 2021. Salary is negotiable but expected to be in the range of major federal Canadian funding agencies (CA$45,000‐50,000 per year, plus benefits).

Given the current pandemic, while residence in Montreal is preferred, other working arrangements may be considered on a case‐by‐case basis. For more information on the cost of living in Montreal: https://www.numbeo.com/cost‐of‐living/in/Montreal.

Application Process

Applicants should submit via email 1) a letter of interest, 2) a C.V., and 3) one article-length writing sample to Professor Clark (shelley.clark [at] mcgill.ca) with the email subject heading “Rural Inequalities Postdoctoral Researcher”. Applicants should also request that two letters of recommendation be sent directly to shelley.clark [at] mcgill.ca. Review of applications will begin August 15, 2020, and will continue until the position is filled.

Eligibility is open with respect to citizenship; applicants should note in their cover letter whether they are already authorized to work in Canada (whether through citizenship, permanent residency, or a work visa). Information on applying for a work permit in Canada is available at https://www.mcgill.ca/gps/postdocs/international/workpermit . Complete information about the status of postdoctoral researcher at McGill is available at https://www.mcgill.ca/gps/postdocs/fellows .

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.