Studies in Climate Change: e Limits of the Numerical

Center for Disciplinary Innovation
Studies in Climate Change: The Limits of the Numerical
Postdoctoral Scholar Positions
The Limits of the Numerical Project at the University of Chicago invites applications for two
Postdoctoral Scholar positions supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, both expected
to last for a total of three academic years (2015-18). Each Postdoctoral Scholar will propose and
pursue an in-depth study of the role numbers do and do not play in the humanistic understanding of environmental problems related to climate change. “Numbers” is interpreted broadly to
include symbolic/mathematical languages. We anticipate that one project will touch on studies
of physical, biological, and policy sciences, and the other on the humanistic disciplines. This
research will be performed in residence at the Franke Institute for the Humanities throughout
the academic year (late September to mid-June). Our hope is for these projects to interact with
and contribute to our larger, ongoing project to understand the role numbers play in areas that
develop hermeneutic or interpretive approaches to the study of climate change. That project in
turn belongs to a consortial effort, undertaken with Cambridge University and the University of
California at Santa Barbara, who will be looking, respectively, at the cases of health care and
higher education. Together, these three projects aim for some general conclusions about the
powers and limitations of quantitative methods.
Each Postdoctoral Scholar at Chicago will be paired with a faculty mentor relevant to the project. Investigators from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have filed their
PhDs between 7/1/10 and 7/1/15, and may not hold any other appointment during the period
of the Postdoctoral Scholar position. A complete application includes cover letter, C.V., three
references, and a 3-5 page project description, and it should be submitted via email to
mav@uchicago.edu (Ms. Mai Vukcevich). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran
status or status as an individual with a disability.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED:
Review of applications will begin on Friday, April 17, 2015.
No application materials will be accepted after Monday, May 4, 2015.
Additional information will be forthcoming: http://franke.uchicago.edu.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer.