Post Doctoral Fellowship in the History of Technology/Energy Transitions

at  The University of Calgary

Description
Area: Energy History/Canadian History/History of Science and Technology.
Duration: 1 year with an Option for Renewal Based on Funding.
Start Date: Flexible.
Salary: $55,000 CAD per annum, plus University of Calgary Plan C health benefits.
The Department of History in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in the History of Innovation and Transitions.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This is an opening for a 1-year Postdoctoral Fellow in History with dedicated funding as part of a large multi-disciplinary, and multi-institutional project on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) as part of Canada’s 2050 net zero goal. As an institute moving towards more transdisciplinary research, the applicant will have the opportunity to interact with students from natural and applied sciences, law, and business. There are scholarships that an applicant can apply for that would extend the term to two years if successful, but not guaranteed.
Can historical examples of technological innovation and/or energy transitions teach us how to, or how not to manage the implementation of CDR in an equitable manner? This project will examine either the history of hydrogen as a fuel and what has hampered implementation OR the transitions from fossil fuels to renewables in the past and how either might inform CDR uptake and use.
What role does society play in energy transitions and how do Canadians view and react to deployment of new technologies, including CDR, to attain net zero by 2050? This question is especially pertinent in light of repeated climate-change-driven crises that are impacting public opinion and priorities.
The development of a historical case study on the social implications of technological shifts or lack of shift in Canada will provide context and insights into the potential of enabling the sustainable, equitable and rapid deployment of new CDR technologies. Results of this work will be presented in a research report that assesses historical technological precedents and energy transitions as a means of exploring the future of CDR technologies.
Supervisor: Dr. Petra Dolata is an energy historian researching 20th-century energy histories in Western Europe and North America as well as the history of energy transitions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in History or related field - Ideally with experience in the History of Science and Technology; 20th Century Energy History; or 20th Century Canadian History.
• Be willing to study in-person at the University of Calgary, Alberta.
• Demonstrated English language proficiency and academic writing ability.
• Demonstrated experience in translating historical evidence into academic reports and/or papers.
• Ability to work independently in a research setting.
• Proficient in the use of the MS Office Suite and Zotero.
  Successful candidates will be students a historians with a passion for contemporary history, who are interested in examining how the history of energy and/or technologies relates to climate change and the various approaches to address it. Ideally, they would be looking to continue their studies or work in the energy, technology, or environmental fields.

• Perform historical study of energy transitions and/or technological innovation, including archival research on either hydrogen or renewables.
• Translate archival research and findings into an academic summary, relating forward to CDR.
• Support Dr. Petra Dolata in her research on the history of energy transitions.
• Interact with an interdisciplinary team including social scientists, engineers, law students, and policy makers on the results of both their work and the work of others through project meetings and symposiums.