Postdoctoral Associate (Duke Critical Minerals Hub)

About this position

Occupational Summary: The Critical Minerals Hub at Duke invites

applications for a full-time postdoctoral associate to conduct

cutting-edge research in critical minerals governance. This position

will contribute to building interdisciplinary excellence and research

pathways in critical minerals research at Duke University. The

successful candidate will report to and work with faculty affiliated

with the policy research taskforce of the Critical Minerals Hub at

Duke University and will support collaboration and integration at the

nexus of multiple disciplines involved in the Hub. The successful

applicant will possess a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in the

social sciences, including political science, public policy, political

ecology, law, geography or another relevant field with some research

experience related to critical minerals. Relevant research areas

include critical minerals governance and law; governing critical

minerals supply chains from the local to the transnational and global

scales; national security and critical minerals governance; principles

and norms for mitigating environmental and social impacts from mining;

and institutional design and practices for addressing

benefits-sharing. In addition to conducting an original, primary

research project, the successful candidate will be expected to engage

in collaborative research, mentoring (graduate and undergraduate

students), and education activities related to the Critical Minerals

Hub. The postdoctoral associate will gain valuable insights into

center-level research and education activities, support in seeking

funding for research, and the opportunity to build grant writing and

proposal development skills, engage with diverse external partners in

academia and industry, and gain mentorship from multiple faculty

across disciplines. Work performed: The primary duties of this

position include: Research Activities (75%)

• Co-design and conducting both original applied and fundamental social science research involving critical minerals governance, law, and policy. Potential project topics are diverse and should be co-developed, drawing on the diverse expertise of Hub faculty;
• Assisting in developing research proposals for external funding agencies; Programmatic Support (25%)
• Co-leading, participating in, and supporting Hub activities, including a Bass Connections project;
• Mentoring students and trainees involve in Hub activities; Term: The initial appointment will be for one year with the possibility for extension. Salary will be commensurate with experience and postdoctoral associate standards. Projected Start Date: January to July 2027 Work location: Durham, NC – Nicholas School of the Environment. Required Qualifications at this Level: Education/Training Work requires a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in the social sciences, including science, public policy, political ecology, law, geography, or another relevant field with some research experience related to critical minerals. Relevant research areas include critical minerals governance and law; governing critical minerals supply chains from the local to the transnational and global scales; national security and critical minerals governance; and principles and norms for mitigating environmental and social impacts from mining and for promoting local benefits. The successful applicant will have training in both qualitative and quantitative methods, including field research. Experience Work requires a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree Skills Preferred Qualifications (if applicable). Successful candidates must be able to communicate the applicability of their prior research experiences to the critical minerals thematic area of the Hub and describe the interdisciplinary importance of these research experiences. Applicants should have an excellent academic record and thrive in a collaborative multidisciplinary research environment. A background and demonstrated experience working at the intersection of disciplines is desired; expressed interest in working at this intersection is required. The candidate should have the ability to work in a diverse lab group setting, planning and conducting assessments independently and collaboratively, interpreting data, and presenting results to diverse audiences. Fluency in English (written and oral) is required. Excellent scientific writing skills and the ability to organize data and clearly disseminate findings and scientific concepts are essential. In addition to applicants’ prior accomplishments, we would like to learn what motivates them, how they approach unfamiliar problems, and what they hope to contribute to, and learn from, an interdisciplinary research community. Additional Information: The initial review of applications will begin approximately October 5, 2026 and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. In addition to applicants’ prior accomplishments, we would like to learn what motivates them, how they approach unfamiliar problems, and what they hope to contribute to, and learn from, an interdisciplinary research community. Applications should include:
• Curriculum vitae.
• Cover letter, up to two pages. Please introduce yourself and explain why this particular postdoctoral opportunity interests you. In addition to describing your relevant experience, address: o What draws you to critical minerals and materials as a research area; o What perspective, expertise, or way of thinking you would bring to the CM Hub @Duke; o An example of a time you worked across disciplinary boundaries, entered an unfamiliar area, or helped connect people or ideas that are not usually brought together; o Something about your interests, motivations, or working style that we would not learn from your CV.
• One-page career-development statement. Describe the career you hope to build, the capabilities or experiences you would like to develop during the postdoctoral appointment, and how this position could help you move toward those goals. We encourage applicants to identify what a successful postdoctoral experience would look like for them.
• One-page research vision. Identify one or two research questions or opportunities related to critical minerals and materials that you find especially compelling. We are particularly interested in ideas that connect disciplines, methods, or parts of the critical-minerals system. Briefly explain why the question matters, how you might begin approaching it, and what expertise or collaborations would strengthen the work. These ideas are intended to help us understand your creativity and research instincts; they will not be treated as a fixed proposal or commitment.
• Names and contact information for at least three professional references. References will be contacted only at a later stage of the search. Applicants are welcome to use figures, conceptual diagrams, or other concise visual elements in their statements when these help communicate their ideas. For questions pertaining to this position, please send an email to criticalminerals@duke.edu and someone from our leadership team will respond. General Information The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.