Research Associate, JEDSI

Research Associate

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We are seeking a Research Associate to carry out and supervise some of the activities of foundation grants. The grants fund the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative (JEDSI) Lab at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). The Research Associate will focus on the portion of the JEDSI that conducts and disseminates research on food insecurity; green infrastructure; institutional diversity;

environmental grantmaking; and environmental attitudes, perceptions and behaviors; and environmental justice.

The Principal Investigator is Dorceta

E. Taylor of YSE.

The Research Associate will identify and assess environmental injustices in people of color and low-income communities. They will collaborate with research scientists and program managers in the JEDSI Lab to research and publish articles and reports on food insecurity, green infrastructure, institutional diversity, environmental grantmaking, and related environmental justice issues. The research associate help identify and compile resources to help document and archive environmental inequalities and achievements.

The Research Associate will collaborate with lab staff, supervise lab students, help organize the New Horizons in Conservation convenings, and track and manage budgets. This is a one-year fixed-duration position.

Principal Responsibilities

• Carries out research within the scope of the established study protocol. Adheres to all human subjects regulations defined by Yale University and the federal government pertaining to research studies.
• Develop criteria for admission of study subjects based on the goals and objectives of the project.
• Determines potential sources of funding and prospective partnerships.
• Evaluate the feasibility of accepting potential projects through analysis of staffing needs, resource requirements, financial costs, and the group's current planned capacity.
• Negotiate contracts and/or changes with funders, consultants, and service providers.
• Develop original IRB submissions. Based on knowledge of science and research goals, collaborates with investigators on major revisions and contributes to scientific protocols. Plans and implements changes.
• Develop forms, questionnaires, and the application of research techniques; write procedures manuals for data collection and coding.
• Responsible for the documentation and transmission of study data. Ensures that report forms are accurately documented and completed in a timely manner at each site location.
• Works independently to develop, manage, and organize databases and multi-site studies. Serves as a primary coordinator between University, non-Yale collaborators, IRB, and funding sources.
• Performs spatial mapping and descriptive and multivariate statistical data analyses using computer software.
• Designs and implements quality control measures to ensure accurate collection and processing of data.
• Contributes to in-depth, original thought and relevance to written reports and the writing of abstracts and manuscripts.
• Help to organize the New Horizons in Conservation and other research convenings.
• Help provide new content for and update materials on the lab's website and maintain it.
• Help to supervise student research assistants.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong oral and written communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent advocacy skills.
• Spatial analysis (example creating maps with ArcGIS or similar software).
• Statistical analysis (with SPSS, R, SAS, or similar software); ability to do qualitative and quantitative research analyses).
• Experienced with data visualization (R, Adobe Illustrator).

Preferred Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience

• A master's or doctorate in Environmental Studies, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Conservation, Biology, Geography, Environmental Policy, Environmental Justice, Urban Planning, Industrial Ecology, or Public Health is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with community-based engagement and research and demonstrated ability to develop relationships with a diverse group of constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex processes and projects and experience with budgets.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS, ArcGIS, R, Adobe Illustrator, and other web-based tools.

Required License

Must have a valid driver's license at the start of the appointment.

Physical Requirement

Must be able to travel; some evenings and weekends may be required.