Faculty Research Assistant: Research Coordinator

Contact

For additional information please contact:
Kelly Biedenweg kelly.biedenweg

The Department of Fisheries & Wildlife & Conservation Sciences invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head. The Conservation and Human Wellbeing Lab in the Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences Department seeks an interdisciplinary social science Faculty Research Assistant to coordinate a large project looking at Socio-Cultural impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms in the Puget Sound, WA and Southern California.

This is a 3-year project funded by NOAA.

• Work collaboratively with three PIs based at different universities to identify and implement steps for meeting project goals.
• Develop research protocols, collect data and lead social‑scientific data analysis in the Puget Sound, Washington, including Hood Canal, Bellingham Bay, and Quartermaster Harbor.
• Lead outputs of project components, including at least one peer‑reviewed manuscript as well as more creative, user‑focused products.
• Mentor one MS student to complete independent research projects as part of the overall project.
• Facilitate and support an advisory group to provide feedback on project implementation and outputs.
• Act as project manager, organizing research team, providing work reports and managing project timelines and deliverables.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position classification, project objectives, and evolving research needs as identified by the PIs in consultation with the project team.

• Graduate degree in environmental social sciences (geography, planning, psychology, anthropology, environmental studies, etc.) or related fields that included social scientific research methods, analyses, and products.
• Proficiency with geospatial statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in or capacity to quickly learn quantitative and qualitative analyses with some support (regressions, topic modeling, hierarchical clustering).
• Knowledge of best practices in social scientific research.
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills.
• Outstanding communication skills based in curiosity, self‑awareness, and collaboration.
• Computing skills, including statistical software & cloud‑based file sharing.
• Professional competence in coordinating and facilitating stakeholders and interdisciplinary science teams in a respectful and efficient manner.
• Demonstrated proficiency in professional writing.
• A demonstrable commitment to inclusive excellence in environmental management.
• This position is designated as a critical or security‑sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05‑010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self‑report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

• Experience managing a large research program with multiple researchers and sub‑projects.
• Experience mentoring student researchers.
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing peer‑reviewed manuscripts and/or accessible white papers, reports, and other forms of visualization to communicate the role of social science in conservation/restoration to diverse audiences.
• Experience with encounter surveys, focus groups, scientific interviewing, geographically‑weighted regressions, and/or the use of AI for large data analyses (e.g., topic modeling).

Full time Potential for hybrid. Must reside in Corvallis, OR or the Puget Sound, WA. Infrequent overnight travel for meetings, and occasional lengthier trips (up to 1 or 2 weeks) to oversee field work.

Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.

Anticipated

Start Date:

2026‑09‑07. Anticipated End Date: 2027‑06‑30.

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement…