Post-Doc Assoc - Qualitative

Location
This position is located:
* (70%) St. Paul Campus
* (15%) Remote work at field/research sites
* (15%) Virtual/flexible
The Post-Doctoral Associate will be expected to reside in Minnesota for the duration of employment.

Job Duties
We are seeking outstanding candidates for a Post-Doctoral Associate position in support of a Research and Development Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (RDBIL 40803) project with the
University of Minnesota and the USDA Forest Service (USFS). This work supports the 10-year Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy (https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis). The Post-Doctoral Associate will have the benefit of working on a multidisciplinary team, and will utilize qualitative methods to identify organizational barriers and pathways to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive fire workforce.

In collaboration with the USFS Diversity and Inclusion Science Team, the Post-Doctoral Associate will be expected to:
1) explore trends in the USFS fire workforce, including whether the USFS fire workforce represents the communities it serves;
2) evaluate whether there are differences in recruitment, promotion, retention, and separation in the USFS fire workforce based on race, ethnicity, or gender;
3) utilize qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, and document analysis) to supplement the quantitative and geospatial analyses conducted by the broader team with the goal of better understanding recruitment, retention, advancement, and separation processes and outcomes; and
4) propose actionable solutions to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive fire workforce.

The Post-Doctoral Associate will work in conjunction with the project team in research design, evaluation, and writing. In addition, the Associate will have an opportunity to explore their own interests and research related to the project. Below is a breakdown of the Associate's expected efforts:

* (30%) Lead and assist in designing the qualitative social science components of the project; Develop and maintain data collection protocols; Conduct background research and secondary data collection, including literature reviews and synthesis.
* (40%) Collect, organize, and analyze social science research data; Lead qualitative data collection and analysis - including in-person interviews and other methods developed with the team.
* (10%) Perform everyday tasks such as project communication, writing and editing research summaries; Support the logistics for project meetings as well as attend the meetings.
* (15%) Author, co-author, or otherwise collaborate on reports, conference papers, and publications.
* (5%) Pursue professional and career development opportunities (e.g., seminars, workshops).

Required Qualifications
* Ph.D. degree.
* Experience with a broad range of qualitative methods (e.g. semi-structured interviews, focus groups, ethnography, and/or document analysis.)

Preferred Qualifications
* Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a varied mix of internal and external partners from diverse communities, cultures, and disciplinary backgrounds.
* Experience with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion research.
* Experience with fire research and/or the wildfire workforce.
* Experience with workforce development research and/or initiatives.

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

Applications must include the following: (1) CV/resume that details how the applicant meets each of the required and preferred qualifications of the position; (2) cover letter that describes the applicant's interest in the position (1 page). Combine all parts of the application into a single document before uploading. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

In instances where the Search Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidate's application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

This position will remain open until filled.

Application review will begin on November 15, 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Michael Dockry (mdockry@umn.edu) or Dr. Travis Young (travis.young@usda.gov). If you need assistance with the application process, please contact Amber Grupe (argrupe@umn.edu). 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).