Postdoctoral Scholar - The Fletcher School

Overview

The Climate Policy Lab (CPL) at the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy (CIERP), The Fletcher School, Tufts University, is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar for the academic year 2026-2027. The successful candidate will pursue an active research agenda and contribute to the Climate Policy Lab’s ongoing projects, as well as contribute deep expertise in either China, Latin America, or system dynamics modeling approaches to climate policy. The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on performance, funding, and mutual agreement.

What You'll Do

The Postdoctoral Scholar will work on individual projects as well as collaboratively with Professor Easwaran Narassimhan and Dean Kelly Sims Gallagher, CPL Co-Directors; Professor Travis Franck, Climate Modeling and Policy Director; and other members of the CPL research team, including staff, faculty, pre- and postdoctoral research fellows, and student research assistants.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will participate in our regularly scheduled team meetings and seminars, present at least once in our research seminar series, and contribute to the organization and hosting of workshops and roundtables. In addition, when appropriate and requested, they will be expected to represent CPL at public events, academic conferences and meetings; and to contribute to CPL’s engagements with funders, partnering research institutions, and policymakers.

The Postdoctoral Scholar is expected to produce at least two publishable academic papers per year, compose blog posts and other short-form policy briefs based on research findings, and contribute to the public dissemination of CPL’s work.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will be provided with shared office space and are expected to use it regularly to foster collaboration, informal exchange of ideas, and mentorship of colleagues who are earlier in their research careers. The Scholar is strongly encouraged to work not only with the CPL team but with the broader Fletcher and Tufts research community in brainstorming sessions, peer review, and general information sharing.

Pay Range

• $68,500 if 0 prior years postdoc experience
• $69,525 if 1 prior year postdoc experience
• $71,611 if 2 prior years postdoc experience

What We're Looking For

We seek individuals with a highly independent research capacity, strong written and oral communication skills, and rich experience in cross-country comparisons. We have particular interest in a scholar who offers deep expertise in China, Latin America, or system dynamics modeling approaches to climate policy.

CPL is particularly interested in candidates who focus on the following policy topics:

• Low-carbon economic growth and green industrialization;
• Climate policy design, implementation, and measurement;
• Energy technology innovation;
• Climate finance and global investment flows;
• Resilient and sustainable development.

Applicants with climate policy expertise from the fields of public policy and international affairs, political science, business, law, economics, engineering/modeling, and related interdisciplinary backgrounds are welcome.

Basic Requirements

• PhD in a related field (dissertation defense completed) within the last five years;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills;
• Capacity to work independently as well as in team environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong record of scholarly research, including publications, complex data analysis skills, advanced methodological skills, and academic presentations;
• Experience working within multicultural and multidisciplinary research environments;
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
• Ability to translate research for broader audiences, including writing op-eds, blog posts, and other public-facing materials;
• Commitment to sharing of information and continuous improvement in a constructive, learning-oriented environment.

Application Instructions

Interested individuals should submit the following:

• A cover letter demonstrating interest and availability;
• A current curriculum vitae including the names of at least two references;
• Writing sample: a research paper of minimum 5,000 words.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For questions about this position please contact Jillian DeStone at jillian.destone@tufts.edu.