"Postdoctoral Researcher"

Position Overview

The University of Kansas (KU) invites applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow position to support an interdisciplinary project focused on the evaluation of strategies designed to improve compliance with environmental protocols on the part of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians. This project lies within the much larger multi-institutional Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub Engineering Research Center funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project involves collaboration with researchers at University of South Dakota and Lehigh University. The Center also involves researchers from University of Notre Dame, University of Maryland, and the University of Hawaii, along with several technical training schools.

Project Details

The research project explores behavior-shaping solutions on the part of HVAC technicians working for service companies to reduce the release of refrigerants with high global warming potential attributes. Using a combination of qualitative interviews, online experiments, and field experiments and guided by theoretical modeling, the project aims to assess the effectiveness of various compliance-inducing strategies, such as deposit/refund schemes, professional norms, and third-party verification.

The post-doctoral researcher will be co-advised by three professors located at the University of Kansas, University of South Dakota, and Lehigh University. The position will start between May 27, 2026, and August 1, 2026, depending on the chosen candidate's availability. Possible additional funds may allow the position to start during the spring semester if the chosen candidate's availability allows.

Job Description

The postdoctoral researcher will support the following activities:

• 20% - Manage and statistically analyze the online experimental data
• 20% - Develop and implement field experiments
• 15% - Manage and statistically analyze the field experimental data
• 15% - Design and conduct interviews with HVAC technicians
• 10% - Analyze the qualitative data generated by these interviews
• 10% - Develop and implement online psychological experiments
• 10% - Establish and maintain relationships with partner companies

Required Qualifications

1. A PhD in economics, psychology, or other strongly related social science discipline
2. Demonstrated experience with at least one of the following research activities: interviews, online experiments, or field experiments, as evidenced by application materials
3. Strong quantitative data skills in terms of both management and analysis, as demonstrated by application materials
4. Interest in environmentally related compliance behavior and empirical social scientific analysis, as demonstrated by application materials
5. Strong writing and communication skills, as demonstrated in application materials
6. A proven ability to work independently, as demonstrated in application materials

Preferred Qualifications

1. Previous experience with research on environmental compliance, as demonstrated by application materials
2. Strong econometric skills, as demonstrated by research using these methods
3. Working knowledge of programming in Stata, SAS, or R, as demonstrated by application materials

Contact Information to Applicants

Jessica Tami
jtami@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, a complete application package will consist of:

• cover letter describing the applicant's qualifications
• CV
• list of two academic references
• representative publication (or working paper) that demonstrates the applicant's abilities to contribute to this project, attached as a PDF file to an email message sent to bleepbloop.edu.

Application review begins on Monday, February 2, 2026, and will continue until a qualified candidate is selected. In order to ensure consideration, please apply prior to that date.

Advertised Salary Range

$64,000

Application Review Begins

02-Feb-2026

Anticipated Start Date

27-May-2026

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FTE

1.0

Reg/Temp

Regular

FLSA Status

Professional

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Location Assignment

Hybrid