Human Dimensions Research Associate Part-time

Job Title

Research Associate

Job Description

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position has an expected end date of March 31, 2027.

Location – This role is fully remote.

Position Summary:

The position will be integrated into the Human Dimensions Research Lab within the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. The Lab is a research group that investigates human-wildlife and human-nature interactions to support partners in Federal, Provincial, and State governments, and environmental non-profit organizations in realizing management and policy outcomes.

This position will be funded by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Forest Service, and Biodiversity Pathways. The successful candidate will also provide mentorship in social-psychological modeling, social-ecological systems, and advanced multivariate analysis (e.g., discrete choice and latent class modelling) to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. You will work in collaboration with, and report directly to, the Principal Investigator of the Human Dimensions Research Lab.

Responsibilities

The Research Associate will conduct original research to determine thresholds of support or opposition for future and existing woodland caribou recovery efforts in complex, cross-cultural settings in Alberta and British Columbia. This research will:

• Determine whether predator control is ever an acceptable management option in different scenarios involving woodland caribou in both provinces.
• Assess public awareness of and support for woodland caribou associated predator removal programs.
• Identify and characterize Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives and preferences for predator removal programs. We will elicit value orientations, attitudes, beliefs, and preferences to understand what influences these perspectives.
• Explore the practical and theoretical basis for wildlife ethics- and equity-informed policies on woodland caribou conservation (e.g., having to stop a predator removal program based on evidence of public opposition even if that program is having successful impacts on the endangered species).
• Co-ordinate the design of online surveys, including literature reviews, supporting University of Alberta Research Ethics Board submissions, testing and pilot phases, survey launch and quality assessment monitoring.
• Carry out multivariate statistical analysis (e.g., factor analyses, econometric analyses) as appropriate to explore variables (social-psychological, preferences) associated with woodland caribou recovery and habitat conservation, and the ethics of predator control as a management approach.
• Author and co-author peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals to advance knowledge about conservation and wildlife management; and facilitate knowledge transfer through workshops, webinars, technical reports, and conferences to communicate research findings to diverse audiences.
• Integrate the University of Alberta's Access, Community, and Belonging (ACB) framework into research activities, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered in stakeholder engagement and tool development.

Qualifications

• An earned Ph.D. in Conservation Sciences or Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, or a closely related field, with a focus on statistical modeling, social-ecological systems, and applied conservation.
• Have prior experience as a Research Associate (2 years minimum), including experience leading and directing research projects, managing research budgets, and developing funding proposals.
• Contextual knowledge
• Knowledge of conservation of species at risk and habitat conservation in working landscapes.
• Knowledge of socio-ecological systems and natural resource management, including work with First Nations communities. The Research Associate is expected to collaborate with First Nations partners in the development of data collection tools (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups, cognitive interviews), and survey content.
• Research design and implementation
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and completing literature / systematic reviews and evidence synthesis.
• Research tool development: Demonstrated expertise in developing and administering qualitative and quantitative social data collection, including large-scale surveys, focus groups, expert elicitation workshops, interviews, and cognitive interviews.
• Quantitative data analysis
• Expertise in preparing datasets for analysis.
• Expertise in applying multivariate statistical modelling, including GLMs and factor analysis.
• Advanced expertise in applying econometric approaches, including discrete choice modelling and contingent valuation.
• Proficiency in R, NLOGIT, and Ngene programming for statistical modeling.
• Research collaborations
• Direct experience of working with natural resource management agencies and organizations.
• Have experience working in, and leading interdisciplinary research teams, specifically that seek to integrate knowledge from social and natural sciences (particularly ecology).
• Research impact
• Have a strong record of publishing and presenting scientific research to interdisciplinary audiences on topics related to wildlife management and wildlife habitat conservation in a variety of contexts.
• Experience communicating social science approaches and outcomes to non-social scientists.
• Mentoring
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with experience fostering collaborative research environments and mentoring early-career researchers or students in interdisciplinary human dimensions research.
• Personal skills
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

This position offers a pro-rated salary range of $55,463 to $76,279 (pro-rated). This position is not eligible for benefits.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule E of the Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.

About the Team

Ranked among the world's top 10 in sports-related disciplines (QS World Rankings 2017–2019), the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation excels in diverse areas including sport science, exercise physiology, health, tourism, rehabilitation, and recreation management. For more than 50 years, the faculty has advanced community health and quality of life through its research, teaching, and outreach.

About University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people – from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more. At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns. The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. L'Université de l'Alberta s'engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaire