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Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations. You can learn more about us here or through our stories.

We're looking for talented, motivated and value-driven professionals to help advance our mission. See below for our current employment opportunities!

Postdoctoral Fellows, Worldviews in Energy and Climate Engagement

Location: UBC – Vancouver

Salary: $70,000 (plus 15% benefits in the form of employer contributions, total $80,500)

Position: 2 available

Deadline: Jan 16, 2025

 is recruiting two motivated and impact-oriented postdoctoral fellows (PDFs). The lab focuses on integrated energy systems research. The project is based at UBC, carried out with community partners including the BC Climate Action Secretariat (CAS) and the Community Energy Association (CEA) as well as key academic partners at Cascade Institute at Royal Roads University, also associated with the ACET initiative.

This project brings a specific focus on understanding worldviews and ideology in energy transitions and climate action. This research is part of a larger, international initiative Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET), supporting community-based collaborations to advance equitable, resilient clean energy solutions. Established at the ӣ��Ӱ�� in 2023, ACET is a partnership with UBC, Royal Roads University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and Yukon University, with support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. 

This project aims to generate shared perspectives and implementable approaches in local regions across BC on the way forward for energy and climate solutions. Through community-engaged research, the PDFs will examine how local governments can navigate the psycho-socio-political dynamics of climate- and energy transitions in a constructive manner. The study brings a specific focus on how worldviews and ideology factor into energy transitions, and what can be done to support a more generative, depolarized social discourse. Through applied, ‘co-produced’ social science research, drawing largely on qualitative research, and via a Community of Practice with local governments, stakeholders, and scholars, the project sets out to address a suite of research questions that tackle different angles of this multifaceted problem. The project will apply research findings for more effective climate/energy engagement with publics. This involves inquiring into not only what people think and feel about climate- and energy transformations, but importantly also how local governments might work differently, adapting and pivoting in their engagement praxis to orient towards the current social and informational context.

The Role

This project is hiring two postdoctoral fellows (PDFs) with complementary expertise for two research streams, described below. This job description refers to both research streams.

*Upon application, in your cover letter, please indicate which of these two streams is your top priority.*

PDF 1 Implementing community energy transitions with a focus on meaning, co-benefits and trust

Seeks to understand where flashpoints for division tend to occur and to identify how engagement on energy transitions can avoid polarization and instead emphasize shared values and co-benefits. How can local governments in BC build trust and engagement, include sensemaking, and emphasize co-benefits like affordability, health, and safety? Topics include exploring how community energy planning can provide a space for citizens to discuss what energy transitions mean for their local community and build generative dialogue and civic trust regarding livelihoods, structural, and identity changes resulting from energy transitions. This study will also look into differences in fairness, understood as fairness-as-proportionality, compared with fairness-as-equality; and examine the implications of these differences for policy and messaging.

PDF 2 - Emotions, culture, and the information environment of energy transitions.

To examine what beliefs, worldviews, affect, and emotions are driving the current opposition to energy transitions, and how local governments can apply research findings in community engagement to better reduce affective polarization and increase civic trust, in support of successful community energy transformations. How do worldviews and emotions influence citizens’ responses to energy transitions, and how to address the role mis/disinformation plays in this dynamic? The study explores what mix of interventions could help to reduce disinformation consumption regarding clean energy and energy transitions, such as for example greater post-truth awareness or media-competency training, or other ways to support more generative outlets for emotion and critical thinking. This will include in-depth case studies in a sample region that experienced climate opposition and delayed climate action implementation, to identify what worked to move the conversation forward and why.

Working closely with CEA and local governments across BC, the two PDFs will refine the design and implement an applied, transdisciplinary research program on the how of engaging on energy- and climate transformations, with a unique focus on psycho-social dimensions and the post-truth information environment. The PDFs will also contribute to two cross-cutting themes involving climate policy and scaling results.

 Both PDFs will work closely with and report to Dr. Gail Hochachka (UBC), SRA 5 Manager, in coordination with the two PIs (Prof. Walter Merida and Prof. Thomas Homer-Dixon); PDFs will also coordinate with the partners are Climate Action Secretariat and Community Energy Association, and with other ACET research managers.

Key Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with community partners, CAS and CEA, to identify and prioritize research needs. 
• Finetune the design and development of the research agenda, including data collection methods and workplan, in consultation with community partners focused on local government impact.
• Design and secure behavioural research ethics approval.
• Conduct independent research (pertaining to your research stream for PDF 1 or 2), as well as carry out collaborative research across with the other streams of the project.
• Collaborate and co-lead on communications and knowledge mobilization (presentations, briefs, academic papers), including Community of Practice sessions.
• Represent the project at conferences and community events. 
• Ensure meaningful community involvement in research design and decision-making. 

 Qualifications 

Essential: 

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in a social science discipline, such as planning, sociology, human geography, political science, psychology, or related discipline. 
• Strong research design skills. 
• Qualitative research skills required, and quantitative research skills is an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience in community-engaged research approaches. 
• Knowledge of current issues in community energy, climate policy, or workforce training. 
• Experience in facilitation, adult learning, or strategic planning in government or non-profit contexts. 
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a team-mindset.
• Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines and with community partners. 
• Publication and knowledge mobilization record (academic and non-academic). 
• Commitment to advancing Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. 
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in research and workplace practices. 
• Knowledge of BC local government context is preferred.

Core Competencies: 

• Academic rigor and competency in community-engaged research design and implementation.
• Skilled in stakeholder and community engagement. 
• Competency in facilitation of focus group dialogues and/or research dissemination with public or non-profit sectors. 
• Self-motivated as well as team-based approach to research.
• Evidenced interest and commitment to conducting research for impact.
• Ability and interest to be part of a dynamic group of other scholars and will receive mentoring and coaching alongside academic supervision. We are looking for applicants who can both meet the academic and research expectations, as well as those who demonstrate sincere interest in this depth of both group collaboration as well as their own personal and professional development.

 What We Provide 

• Salary: $70,000, plus access to UBC extended benefits package
• 20 vacation days plus statutory holidays and UBC closure over Christmas/New Year 
• Professional development opportunities 
• Funded travel to participating communities 

 Working Conditions 

• One-year, grant-funded full-time position with renewal potential 
• In-person presence in UBC-Vancouver expected each week, home-office considered.
• Preference for applicants based in or willing to relocate to Vancouver 
• Applicants must be legally permitted to work in Canada

 How to Apply 

Send applications to Anna Biel (anna.biel@ubc.ca with the subject line “Worldviews in Energy- and Climate Transformations (WECE).” First review begins Jan 16, 2026; position open until filled. 

Applications will only be considered if they contain all of the following: 

• Cover letter indicating preferred PDF stream (1 or 2, described above)
• CV
• Short writing sample (e.g., publication, thesis excerpt, policy document, or knowledge mobilization piece – optional but encouraged) 

 Why Join Us? 

This role offers the chance to shape real-world energy transformations by supporting local governments and First Nations in BC and beyond. You’ll be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team dedicated to creating impactful research and building resilient local economies. 

 Accessibility and Equity 

ACET is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups and will provide accommodations during the hiring process. 

Equity Statement

ACET and the ӣ��Ӱ�� are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and  in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.

Read UVic's full equity statement at www.uvic.ca/equitystatement.

Accessibility Statement

 If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact uviccareers@uvic.ca. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

Territory Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, the Musqueam people, the fourteen Yukon First Nations, Atikamekw and other Indigenous People on which ACET partner institutions stand, whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.