The Toronto Climate Observatory (TCO) is hiring a part-time (50%) Research Coordinator to support the growing activities of this campus-wide research initiative. With professors and graduate students from multiple departments and faculties at the University of Toronto, we have developed an ambitious research agenda, online platform, and outreach program to monitor and communicate the accelerating impacts of climate change locally and around the world. Drawing on approaches ranging from climate modeling to human-centered design, economics, oral history, citizen science, and art/science collaboration, the TCO develops place-based approaches to understanding the effects of climate change in ways that are contextualized and meaningful to policy-makers and the public. Key aspects of the initiative include our commitments to sound science, interdisciplinary collaboration, climate justice, and public engagement.
Responsibilities
As a Research Coordinator, the successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the development of the agenda, day-to-day operations, and partnership strategy of the Toronto Climate Observatory (TCO).
Specifically, they will be asked to:
- Assist with drafting communication and background materials describing the initiative for various audiences;
- Identify and engage potential partners at the University of Toronto and other organizations within Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area;
- Support with tasks related to day-to-day organizational and financial management of research activities;
- Conduct literature reviews of key research areas;
- Contribute to funding proposals aimed at growing the staff and impact of the TCO.
The position will begin on or before October 15, 2024 and is initially funded for 6 months.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a related field;
- Experience developing and executing successful interdisciplinary research;
- Demonstrated understanding of climate change research;
- Familiarity with participatory or publicly engaged research methods, broadly understood to include topics such action research, citizen science, oral history, or participatory design;
- Candidates with other areas of expertise such as data visualization, indigenous knowledge, climate and environmental justice, or smart cities/urban dashboards that would contribute to the development of the TCO are also encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions:
All applicants should submit a CV together with a cover letter explaining their interest in the position and the names of two referees to Robert Soden (soden@cs.toronto.edu) by October 10th, 2024.
The normal hours of work are 20 hours per week, 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.
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.