Social Science Project Manager - School of Natural Resources UTIA (Fort Collins, CO)

Description

 

Social Science Project Manager

Conservation Social Science/Wildlife Disease

UT Institute of Agriculture-USDA APHIS

  The School of Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture invites applications for a Social Science Project Manager to coordinate the management of a large, social science research project that investigates human/white-tail deer interactions in connection with transmission of SARS-CoV-2.  This position will coordinate efforts among multiple internal and external university and government collaborators to ensure that social science data collection and analysis efforts are consistent across the collaborators; study milestones are on target; collaborator expenditures are within budget guidelines; and government sponsors and collaborators are regularly apprised of progress.  The incumbent will work with federal government collaborators on securing regulatory approval from OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act on the survey component of the research study, and will assist project personnel with management and analysis of research data and writing and presenting of reports and other publications.  This position is stationed at the USDA-APHIS National Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins, Colorado; a remote work location may be negotiated for the most suitable candidate.

Project Summary:  The purpose is to understand how human behaviors, human-white-tailed deer (WTD) interactions, land use, and ecological context contribute to SARS-CoV-2 (SCV2) infection dynamics in WTD populations.  SCV2-positive WTD are being detected across states and counties that vary in human population density (rural to urban) and incidence of SCV2 in humans.  While our understanding of how WTD acquire infection from humans in natural settings remains weak, the observation of WTD infections across a wide-ranging geographical context suggests that spillover is frequent, potentially through multiple routes.  Currently there are many different hypotheses about risk factors for spillover – e.g., urban parks, crowded campgrounds in National parks, popular hunting lands, etc., but little data to distinguish among these hypotheses.  It is likely that the type and frequency of human-WTD interactions vary across these settings.  Identifying and quantifying these differences would improve risk assessments for managers to identify optimal control points if needed.

Qualifications

 

Educational Requirement:  A Master’s degree in any scientific field.

Required Experience:  One year of professional experience (includes graduate student level) overseeing efforts on a scientific research study, including experience with budgeting, communicating with diverse stakeholders or collaborators, and data analysis and management. 

Preferred Experience and Education:  A Master’s degree in social science or a wildlife-related field.  Preferred candidates will have a minimum of two years' professional experience (including graduate student level) overseeing a large, multi-collaborator social science study, and familiarity with securing Paperwork Reduction Act approval from OMB.  Knowledge of theories and statistical methods used in social science survey research, and knowledge of project management software is preferred.

Compensation and Timeline:  This is a full benefits position, available to start as soon as September 1, 2023, with grant funding secured for a period of three years.  Market Range 08.

To Apply:  In addition to completing the online applicant profile, submit the following documents in PDF format:  1) A letter of interest outlining education and qualifications; 2) a current CV; and 3) full contact information of three professional references.  Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Neelam C. Poudyal, npoudyal@utk.edu ) or Dr. Keith M. Carlisle, keith.m.carlisle@usda.gov .

Job
  Research Professional 
Primary Location
  US-Colorado-CO-Fort Collins 
Organization
  School Of Natural Resources Res 
Schedule
  Full-time 
Campus/Institute  Institute of Agriculture 
Job Posting
  Sep 11, 2023, 9:58:06 AM