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Wildfire Insurance Policy Post-doctoral Fellow

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The Climate and Energy Policy Program (CEPP) of Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment invite applications for a post-doctoral position focused on policy and interventions that improve home insurance availability in the context of growing losses due to wildfire. This postdoc will join the thriving community of the Woods Institute in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.  The Fellow will report to the leaders of CEPP and will receive mentorship from an interdisciplinary team of faculty and researchers connecting scientific research with real-world decision making. 

This full-time fellowship is crafted for early-career technical scholars with a strong interest in wildfire science and policy design and implementation. It offers a hands-on opportunity to apply your scientific skills and expertise to address urgent and intensifying wildfire policy challenges in California and the western US. This work will build on and deepen partnerships with policy stakeholders and Stanford’s long track record of engagement on wildfire policy in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

The Fellow will develop research and analysis that will inform interventions that support improved availability of homeowner insurance in California. Specifically, they will provide analysis and develop research aimed at improving understanding of historical and current dynamics in the homeowners insurance market in California as well as participate in the development of data-informed policy solutions. The postdoc will collaborate closely with an insurance focused legal fellow. We seek a postdoctoral scholar with strong data analysis and management skills and a strong background in statistical analysis (especially time-series analysis), causal inference, advanced econometrics, and/or machine learning. Ideally, this candidate will be comfortable with geographic information systems (GIS).

The Fellow will also play a role in collaboration with other CEPP wildfire postdocs, fellows and the CEPP Directors in organizing and implementing a multidisciplinary Wildfire Policy Practicum in one quarter of Stanford’s academic year that creates opportunities for Stanford graduate students to conduct rigorous and timely analysis in support of the objectives outlined above. The Fellow will also engage with external policy partners and practicum “clients” to ensure that products are maximally relevant to active policy processes, engaging directly in such processes when appropriate.

Fellowship applicants should have:

  • Strong data analysis and management skills and a strong background in statistical analysis (especially time-series analysis), causal inference, advanced econometrics, machine learning. 
  • Ideally, this candidate will be comfortable with geographic information systems (GIS).
  • Strong academic credentials, excellent writing and editing abilities, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and a collaborative spirit. 
  • A commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the workplace and a track record of community engagement and service. 
  • Strong organizational/management skills, attention to detail, self-motivation, and aptitude for working with students and diverse policy stakeholders.
  • Sound judgment and exceptional ethical standards in serving as a trusted source for evidence-based analysis and policy engagement.

This position is for a one-year fixed term, with possible extension for a second year subject to funding availability. Salary is based on a formula that is competitive with similar positions, and Stanford provides a generous benefits package.

Applicants should submit a cover letter summarizing their interest in the position and relevant experience, a CV, a writing sample, and contact information for three references through environment@stanford.edu, referencing Wildlife Risk Management. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible and will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We expect to be interviewing candidates in January 2024.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job. 

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.