Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs - UTK
About The Position
The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) seeks a postdoctoral researcher interested in the economics and policy of critical minerals. The successful candidate will work with Charles Sims at the Baker School, Georg Schaur in UTK’s Department of Economics, critical mineral industry partners, and collaborators at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The candidate will develop a research agenda focused on one or both of these areas: the costs of U.S. dependence on foreign countries for critical minerals, and the effects of industrial policy on domestic investments in critical mineral mining, processing, and recycling. The position is part of the Baker School’s research network and its Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy (CETEP), which brings together sound science, rigorous economics, and policy research addressing natural resource use and environmental challenges. The successful candidate will join a cohort of postdoctoral researchers working on environmental and energy challenges. The appointment is 24 months, with an expected start in Summer/Fall 2026; the exact start date is negotiable.
Requirements
- Hold a Ph.D. in economics, agricultural and resource economics, or a similar field before starting; candidates graduating in Spring 2027 are welcome to apply.
- Excellent programming skills.
- Excellent data management skills.
- Excellent written communication skills.
Nice To Haves
- Demonstrated ability to work with applied theory.
- Experience with critical minerals.
Responsibilities
- Work with Charles Sims, Georg Schaur, critical mineral industry partners, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory collaborators.
- Develop a research agenda in one or both areas: costs of U.S. critical mineral dependence on foreign countries; effects of industrial policy on domestic investment in critical mineral mining, processing, and recycling.
Benefits
- Full University benefits package.
- Career development and coaching.
- Continued education and development and training opportunities.
- Work-life balance support.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
