Clemson University Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation invites applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRA) position beginning in Fall 2026. The incoming researcher will work closely with Dr. Puneet Dwivedi, Professor and Glenn’65 and Heather Hilliard Endowed Chair in Environmental Sustainability, to analyze the economic, environmental, spatial, and policy dimensions of wood-based biopower and the broader bioenergy sector. South Carolina (SC)’s forests are among the most productive in the southeastern United States, and wood-based biopower offers a promising pathway for supporting forest stewardship, rural economic development, energy security, and carbon management. Simultaneously, emerging trade and sustainability policies, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), may affect market access, traceability expectations, feedstock sourcing, certification needs, and competitiveness for bioenergy producers in the Southern United States.
The incoming PRA will support an integrated assessment of wood-based biopower in SC and the implications of EUDR for the bioenergy sector in the Southern United States by accomplishing:
- Quantify available woody biomass for biopower generation in SC.
- Conducting integrated life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of biopower generation from principal woody feedstocks.
- Assessing SC’s current and projected power demand at the county level, including potential demand growth associated with data centers.
- Developing a spatial-temporal biopower supply chain optimization model to identify the optimal number, size, and location of biopower generation units, including the potential use of existing or prospective cogeneration sites at wood-consuming mills.
- Estimating the economic impact of a wood-based biopower sector in SC, including direct and indirect employment, output, tax revenue, and other contributions using Input-Output modeling.
- Analyzing the potential impact of EUDR on the Southern United States bioenergy sector, with attention to woody biomass, wood pellets, bioenergy feedstock trade, supply-chain traceability, compliance costs, certification systems, market access, and policy risks and opportunities for U.S. producers.
Expected Salary: $68,000/year with health, vision, dental, and retirement benefits. Project Period: One year, beginning in Fall 2026. An extension may be possible, depending on performance and funding availability. Eligibility: A doctorate from an accredited university in the United States is required. Candidates with doctorates from accredited foreign universities are also eligible. Competitive candidates will have experience in one or more of the following areas: economic modeling, energy modeling, input-output modeling, spatial analysis, life-cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, supply-chain modeling, forest products markets, bioenergy systems, international trade, certification systems, or policy analysis. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential. Candidates from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Job Location: Clemson, SC. Working off campus is not allowed. Occasional travel is expected to attend meetings, meet with stakeholder groups, share findings with policymakers, and present at conferences. Expected Deliverables: The PRA will contribute to peer-reviewed journal articles, a comprehensive technical report for state agencies and forestry stakeholders, policy-relevant presentations, maps and model outputs, and conference presentations at relevant national forums. Application Instructions: Before applying for this position at Link, please email Dr. Puneet Dwivedi ([email protected]) by attaching a cover letter, a copy of your latest CV, and the names and contact information of three references. The application deadline is 31 August 2026. Clemson University: Clemson University (https://www.clemson.edu/) is a land-grant university of SC. The university is located in Clemson, SC. Clemson University is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and public service and offers a collaborative environment for interdisciplinary research in forestry, environmental conservation, sustainability, energy systems, and policy analysis.
