Comprehensive Modeling of Cultural Transformations in Response to Shocks and Hazards Associated with Climate

The Human Relations Area Files, a research agency at Yale University, is seeking two full-time (or possibly up to four part-time) research associates to join our research team.

Given increased severity, frequency and even unpredictability of both slow- and fast-onset climate-related hazards around the world, our grant-funded worldwide cross-cultural research seeks to understand how groups in the recent past have responded to shocks and whether their social and cultural responses have led to enhanced resilience. We also ask whether the type and qualities of climate hazards or shocks have influenced societal responses. The principal investigators of the 3-year grant, “Response to Shocks and Hazards Associated with Climate” are Eric Jones (PI), Carol Ember, Sergey Gavrilets and Michele Gelfand.

To accomplish the goals for its sub-award, we are seeking research associates (up to 2 full-time or 4 part-time) Our needs will vary with phases of the project. In the beginning stages, we are mostly looking for individuals who have experience reading and analyzing qualitative texts (especially ethnographic documents) to make coding judgments. Other desired skills are data management, knowledge of statistics, and writing R code. We prefer individuals with a recent PhD or advanced graduate training in anthropology or a related field, but we will also consider individuals with less graduate training and with appropriate experience to be hired as research assistants.

We plan to assess a suite of variables including the frequency, severity and predictability of disasters and other resource stressors, cooperation and beyond household sharing, continuity of cultural norms and practices, community cohesion, livelihood diversification, political participation, and tightness or looseness of societal norms.

While we prefer the work to be done on-site at HRAF in New Haven, Connecticut, we will consider remote work if relocation is not an option or if the applicant does not have the right to work in the United States. If in New Haven, the position occupant may be eligible for a Yale staff position with benefits.

Start date: end of August/early September 2022 for one or two years ($54K to $58K full-time equivalent to start for a recent postdoc).

To Apply: Please send by May 25:

1. a cover letter summarizing your interests and why you believe you are a good fit for the position
2. a resume
3. the names and contact details of three individuals who are willing to serve as references

Email your application to Carol Ember,  carol.ember@yale.edu, with a copy to hraf@yale.edu. Subject line should read: Research Associate Applicant-[Last Name]. You should expect an acknowledgement of your application within a week.