Research Associate

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 19 Nov 2021

Posting Details
Working Title Research Associate
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202101206AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate III
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $54,000 - $64,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date 01/18/2022
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 11/19/2021
Description of Work Unit
The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is interdisciplinary with programs of emphasis in forestry, fire science, fire management, natural resource policy/planning, rangeland ecology, and restoration ecology. The Department’s faculty and staff support the Warner College of Natural Resources (WCNR) and the University in fulfilling the Land Grant Mission in these programmatic areas. The university’s Climate Adaptation Partnership is led out of this department, supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research, and is an interdisciplinary team of faculty, graduate students, research associates, and other center leaders from across CSU. 
Position Summary
The Research Associate III will work in close coordination with Dr. Schultz and other researchers focused on climate adaptation as part of Colorado State University’s (CSU) Climate Adaptation Partnership (CAP) for Policy Innovation and Research Coordination. The CAP works to foster collaborations among CSU researchers and center leaders that work on climate adaptation with two core emphases: 1) supporting interdisciplinary research efforts to address the complex challenges of climate adaptation and 2) building connections among researchers and policymakers to facilitate the application of climate adaptation research in policy venues. The CAP was formed in 2020 as is led by Dr. Courtney Schultz (Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship) and Dr. Leisl Carr-Childers (Department of History). The CAP is establishing itself as the go-to entity on campus for climate adaptation researchers and policymakers who are interested in tackling the challenges of adaptation. 
We seek an innovative research associate to join our team to lead interdisciplinary team publications on climate adaptation and apply to funding opportunities with the CAP team for future interdisciplinary research projects and institutional development of the CAP as an organization. The focus of this position is on research coordination and team publications, rather than new data collection, unless additional research funding is obtained by the incumbent. Team peer-reviewed publications will broadly focus on climate adaptation and require coordinating writing with co-authors from disparate disciplines (policy, history, ethnic studies, engineering, atmospheric sciences, agriculture, fire ecology, etc.).  The incumbent will be tasked with taking a largely independent role in conducting these activities, in coordination with members and collaborators of the CAP (see https://www.research.colostate.edu/cip/cap/ ). Depending on interest, the incumbent may take on small teaching and advising assignments or other activities, as the opportunities within the research groups of the CAP members are rich and diverse. Post-doctoral scholars may negotiate some time to support publishing on their past research.  
There are several members of the CAP team who could advise the incumbent, depending on the incumbent’s interests and areas of focus. Candidates are encouraged to apply if their research interests align with the focal areas of the CAP, but they must be prepared to lead interdisciplinary team publications. Focal areas include climate adaptive land management, fire management, agriculture, water management, and related studies on climate adaptation pathways, policies, or strategies.  
This is a one-year position with possibility of extension depending on funding availability.  
Required Job Qualifications
  • Ph.D. with studies focused on natural resource management and climate adaptation in the United States.
  • A record of successfully publishing two or more peer-reviewed articles. 
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience conducting research on an aspect of climate adaptation from project design to project completion, including data collection, analysis, writing, and publication.
  • Experience working in interdisciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Experience with grant-writing and fundraising.
  • Expertise in forest and fire management.
  • Experience working with Indigenous governments, communities, or organizations.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Project development and implementation
Duty/Responsibility
Project development:
* Identify key assumptions and theories of climate adaptation and empirical support for those assumptions in order to develop literature reviews and publication ideas.
* Determine the structure and direction of written materials for publication.
* Determine appropriate grant funding opportunities for interdisciplinary climate adaptation research.
* Design research on climate adaptation.
Project implementation: 
* Develop project management strategies and execute these.
* Coordinate with interdisciplinary team members.
* Develop research methodology appropriate for research questions on climate adaptation.
* Develop and lead peer-reviewed publications based on both literature review and data collection.
* Write and submit grant proposals.
* Help to supervise other research assistants.
Percentage Of Time 85
Job Duty Category Outreach
Duty/Responsibility
* Develop webinars if/when requested.
* Present at relevant conferences.
* Meet with policymakers to deliver findings. 
Percentage Of Time 15

Special Instructions to Applicants
Application materials consist of the following:
  • Resume/CV
  • Cover letter describing interest working with interdisciplinary teams to advance research and policy communication in climate adaptation, ideas for possible publication and grant raising avenues, and experience related to all qualifications (both required and preferred) 
  • Names/contact info for three references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of the candidate.
  • Writing sample on a lead-authored paper <10 pages preferred
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
Search Contact Dr. Courtney Schultz; [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.