Sustainability Researcher

The Institute on the Environment (IonE), Knowledge Initiatives team, at the University of Minnesota, invites a Research Scientist 4, Interdisciplinary Sustainability Decision Support Researcher to participate in collaborative interdisciplinary, team-based science, and partner- and community-engaged science projects aimed at supporting sustainability impacts. The Interdisciplinary Sustainability Decision Support Researcher would advance our decision support science portfolio, an area of work that focuses on the processes and tools that enable evidence-based decision-making in public and private sectors. The Interdisciplinary Sustainability Decision Support Researcher will be critical to the implementation of mixed-methods approaches to rigorously assess and test the usability of environmental data products. The Knowledge Initiatives (KI) team leads the portfolio of interdisciplinary sustainability research and scholarly activity within IonE.

This position is focused on a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) project titled, "Audience Segmentation to Improve Flood Inundation Mapping Engagement and Testing with Technical Users and Impacted Communities". This research addresses the critical gap in understanding whether FIMs are effectively designed for intuitive use, accurate interpretation, and clear communication of key messages. Additionally, it aims to empirically test evidence-based design alternatives to improve the clarity, accessibility, and usability of FIMs for both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Opportunities to additionally support other externally funded and proposed projects led by Dr. Kenney are possible, such other NOAA proposed projects titled: "Expanding the NWM FIM to support infrastructure and impact using multi-model and improved visualization and communication of actionable intelligence in flood early warning," "Assess the Effectiveness of Communication of Total Water Level Visualizations and Conduct User Testing of Compound Flood Products", and "FIM SandBox (FIMBox): A Flood Inundation Mapping Testbed Framework."

Overall, the Interdisciplinary Sustainability Decision Support Researcher is expected to balance multiple tasks and manage time efficiently to ensure project activities are completed in an organized and efficient manner for incorporation into peer-reviewed publications. Research outcomes are also co-produced with non-academic project partners to support the implementation of research findings into operations and environmental decision-making, which requires thoughtful partner engagement, regular briefings, and recommendation memos.

More Details & Working Conditions: Our offices are located in St. Paul, MN. This may be a hybrid of remote and in-person work (P1, P2, or P3 work profiles), with the exact work location mix dependent on the person and job responsibilities thus preference is given to incumbents who will be located within reasonable driving distance from the UMN St. Paul campus. The person will be expected to engage via web-conferencing and in-person with the team, attend important IonE events, and develop working relationships with other IonE staff.

The appointment is funded externally by federal grants. This is a temporary civil service Research Scientist 4, Interdisciplinary Sustainability Decision Support Researcher position that is expected to continue for 1 year, given the availability of funding, work, and employee performance.

Salary and Benefits: The salary for this position is $66,500, with UMN civil service employee group benefits.

How to apply: A complete application is required for consideration. The required application materials are listed below and need to be submitted as a single PDF the following order:

1. Cover letter that describes your qualifications and how this position aligns with your career path,
2. Contact information for at least 2 references (i.e., name, title, organization; URL to biographical sketch or similar; address, phone number, and email address; and relationship to the candidate). References will not be contacted until final candidates have been identified, and you will be notified before contacting references.
3. CV
4. One example of a product relevant to this job position

Questions or barriers to submitting an application? Email ione@umn.edu. We recognize applying takes effort, and we look forward to reading and reviewing your materials.

80% designing, conducting, and analyzing mixed-methods data using multidisciplinary social science research methods. Activities, which require both daily/weekly team collaboration and expertise to work independently, include:

• conducting literature reviews and formal document analyses
• preparation and technical lead for Institutional Review Board (IRB) documentation for human subjects determinations
• designing and conducting semi-interviews with experts
• developing and carrying out survey research
• human subjects data curation and metadata documentation given best practices and grant requirements
• qualitative and quantitative data analysis, summarizing results, and collaboratively discussing research findings and implications
• regular communication with and coordination of project team members
• author or co-author peer-reviewed publications develop based on this research
• public engagement activities and documents to accelerate and increase the use of research findings in decisions and decision support products
• documentation of administrative and project management processes, regular project progress summaries, and other project related items
• project goal setting and meeting planning and managing-up of PI and project team members, including:
  • report weekly on project goals and hours and location of work on Basecamp
  • report every day where hours are logged, report back on project progress, collaborate, and identify needs with other team members on Basecamp
  • organize, document, and share work in Basecamp, Google suite collaborative products, and team file organization structure
  • adopt IonE research software, data, and metadata best practices related to archiving, documentation, and accessibility.

20% Other

• Professional development
• Mentor, train, and supervise undergraduate students, volunteers, and interns, as assigned and if relevant
• Support the development of grant proposals and other research priorities
• Participation in IonE community activities
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

• BS/BA and 5 years of related experience or a combination of education and experience equal to 9 years.
• Experience in interdisciplinary sustainability research and social science research methodologies such as interview and survey design
• Both self-directed and team-oriented
• Excellent writing and communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to successfully multitask and organize workflow; manage multiple projects and schedules;
• Handle virtual and/or in-person interruptions during scheduled work hours; and proactively manage up and communicate project status supervisor and project team members

• PhD and/or prior to postdoctoral fellowship experience in an interdisciplinary field of sustainability
• Experience in one of the technical areas under consideration: Flood Inundation Maps; science communication; decision support diagnosis, user engagement, and testing; stakeholder engagement and analysis; risk and decision analysis; and/or mixed-methods approaches
• Experience in peer-to-peer or student mentoring to support onboarding and team collaborations
• Experience in team science and partner-engaged scholarship, including professional interactions with stakeholders and faculty
• Experience designing and managing complex research projects
• Public engagement, speaking, and outreach experience, including with Federal agency and community partners

The University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (IonE) is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary institution that works to advance sustainability through collaborative research, leadership and education programming, and public-interest storytelling and communications.

Pay Range: $66,500

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).