Description

Position Overview

The University of Kansas (KU) invites applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow position to support an interdisciplinary project focused on the evaluation of strategies designed to improve compliance with environmental protocols on the part of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians. This project lies within the much larger multi-institutional Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub Engineering Research Center funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project involves collaboration with researchers at University of South Dakota and Lehigh University. The Center also involves researchers from University of Notre Dame, University of Maryland, and the University of Hawaii, along with several technical training schools.

Project Details:
The research project explores behavior-shaping solutions on the part of HVAC technicians working for service companies to reduce the release of refrigerants with high global warming potential attributes. Using a combination of qualitative interviews, online experiments, and field experiments and guided by theoretical modeling, the project aims to assess the effectiveness of various compliance-inducing strategies, such as deposit/refund schemes, professional norms, and third-party verification.

Job Description

The postdoctoral researcher will support the following activities:

20% - Manage and statistically analyze the online experimental data
20% - Develop and implement field experiments
15% - Manage and statistically analyze the field experimental data
15% - Design and conduct interviews with HVAC technicians
10% - Analyze the qualitative data generated by these interviews
10% - Develop and implement online psychological experiments
10% - Establish and maintain relationships with partner companies

Required Qualifications

1. A PhD in economics, psychology, or other strongly related social science discipline
2. Demonstrated experience with at least one of the following research activities: interviews, online experiments, or field experiments, as evidenced by application materials
3. Strong quantitative data skills in terms of both management and analysis, as demonstrated by application materials
4. Interest in environmentally related compliance behavior and empirical social scientific analysis, as demonstrated by application materials
5. Strong writing and communication skills, as demonstrated in application materials
6. A proven ability to work independently, as demonstrated in application materials

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, a complete application package will consist of:

• cover letter describing the applicant's qualifications
• CV
• list of two academic references
• representative publication (or working paper) that demonstrates the applicant's abilities to contribute to this project, attached as a PDF file to an email message sent to bleepbloop.edu.

Application review begins on Monday, February 2, 2026, and will continue until a qualified candidate is selected. In order to ensure consideration, please apply prior to that date.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.