The On the Move Partnership is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to carry out research on E-RGM in the construction sector in Newfoundland and Labrador with a focus on the oil and gas sector.

The postdoctoral fellow will play a lead role in designing and carrying out research with oil and gas employers (contractors and subcontractors), construction unions, workers and their families. The research program will examine the composition of this subsection of the provincial labour force (required skillsets and credentials, demographics, contracts, where they live, travel to and from work, work schedules, housing, etc.), recruitment and retention of workers, any challenges associated with managing labour forces composed of differently mobile workers and the impacts of E-RGM on workers and their families and home and host communities. The relationship between E-RGM patterns and consumption and remittances, policies that encourage and influence the outcomes of E-RGM and reasons for entering into and exiting E-RGM will also be examined.

The construction sector postdoctoral fellow will also act as a liaison between the On the Move Partnership and one of its partners, the Economics and Statistics Branch of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, aiding in the transfer of On the Move research results for use by Government where relevant, as well as in the development of tools for monitoring E-RGM and its impacts within the province.

The successful applicant will have a doctorate or equivalent degree in the social sciences. They will have superior research skills including experience in field research and working with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must, as is experience studying employment-related mobility. Experience with popular as well as academic writing would be an asset. S/he must be able  to travel and to spend time in the field.

The postdoctoral fellow will be primarily located at Memorial University in St. John’s. S/he will be co-supervised by Dr. Barbara Neis, Project Director, On the Move Partnership and Dr. Deatra Walsh, Dept. of Sociology, Mount Saint Allison University, with guidance from Alton Hollett, Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic and Statistics Branch, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The postdoc position will be tenured at 18 months in duration ($40,000/annum) with the possibility of a six-month extension. Start date: December 2013.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their interest in the postdoctoral position and relevant background/training, a copy of a current CV and contact information for 3 referees to Janet Oliver, On the Move Partnership, 202 Elizabeth Avenue, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL Canada A1C 5S7. Email joliver@mun.ca, telephone 709 864-7551, fax 709 864-7530.

Questions related to the position should be directed to Professor Neis at bneis@mun.ca.

Deadline for applications: September 27, 2013

A PDF version of this ad is available here: OTM Postdoc Ad

The On the Move Partnership is a project of the SafetyNet Centre for Occupational Health & Safety Research and Memorial University. On the Move is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Newfoundland and Labrador Research Development Corporation, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and numerous universities and partners. This fellowship is also supported by the Economics and Statistics Branch, Department of Finance, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Memorial University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified women and men, visible minorities, aboriginal people, and persons with disabilities.