Environmental and Resource Economics Postdoctoral Scholar Environmental Ma

Position overview

Position title: Environmental and Resource Economics Postdoctoral Scholar

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position at 100% time is $69,073 to $82,836.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: The start date is negotiable. Ideally the position starts July 1, 2026 or later.

Position duration: This is a 2-year initial appointment

Open date: November 6, 2025

Most recent review date: Monday, Dec 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Monday, Aug 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

The Environmental Markets Lab (emLab), in collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), is seeking up to 3 postdoctoral researchers to lead in the development and execution of applied research projects in environmental and resource economics. emLab and EDF are pursuing joint projects to bolster cost‑effective climate solutions. With a focus on strengthening compliance markets and designing credible nature‑based solutions, our portfolio aims to identify new frameworks, incentives, and institutional design principles to enhance the design of carbon markets.

The successful candidate will contribute to this portfolio with research focused on natural resource management, nature‑based climate solutions, or carbon pricing.

The Environmental Markets Lab is a team of scientists based at UC Santa Barbara that advances economic research to deliver practical solutions for people and the planet. In collaboration with implementing partners, we design, test, and implement scalable solutions that work across boundaries‑connecting science with policy, data with decisions, and ambition with action‑to create pathways toward a future where environmental and human wellbeing mutually reinforce one another.

We endeavor to foster an inclusive, collaborative work environment to bring interdisciplinary expertise to solve critical environmental problems. The Environmental Defense Fund is a global science, economics, and advocacy organization working to stabilize the climate, strengthen the ability for people and nature to thrive, and protect people's health. Originally founded in the U.S. in 1967, EDF started by bringing lawsuits to ban the use of the pesticide DDT in New York.

Over its 50+ year history, EDF has worked with partners to introduce science and market‑based solutions to solve environmental, health, business, and climate problem including California's cap and trade, now cap and invest program, the U.S. Acid Rain Program, catch share fisheries programs that restored U.S. fish populations, and putting methane warming and action on the map with seminal research, policy gains, and finally launching its own measurement satellite (Methane

SAT). EDF has a staff of over 1,000 and works primarily in the U.S., the EU, India, and China.

The candidate will have the opportunity to work with Christopher Costello, the emLab Research Director and EDF Chief Economist. The successful candidate(s) will work with emLab and EDF, and can also allocate a fraction of their time to their own research.

This appointment includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental and vision insurance and a UC retirement plan. Salary is commensurate with the applicant's qualifications and experience.

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Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicant must have a PhD degree (or equivalent) or be enrolled in a PhD program in economics with a focus in environmental and resource economics, or a closely related discipline, at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

PhD in economics with a focus in environmental and resource economics, or a closely related field, at the time of appointment.

Preferred qualifications

• The ideal candidate(s) should have training in economic theory, econometrics, and/or other quantitative…