Staff Research Associate (Onsite)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is STEP 1: $28.88- STEP 25: $46.46. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University expects to pay for this position is STEP 1: $28.88.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around October 24th, 2024. Posting will remain open until filled.

This union position is represented by the bargaining unit UPTE: Research Support Professionals - RX.

This position is fully in-person as the grant project is primarily focused on community building and community engagement.

This position is career contingent upon funding with an expected end date of 8/31/2027.

This position is 75% FTE and would work 30 hours per week.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

This position uses subject matter expertise in public humanities to provide comprehensive research consultation, guidance, assessment, and support for the Mellon-funded project "Our Interwoven Futures: The Public Humanities Design Studio as a Community-Engaged Hub for Dialogue on Social Justice." This position supports faculty fellows, graduate fellows, and community members working on public humanities projects as well as coordinating and participating in workshops, trainings, research dissemination, research communications, and community-building activities related to the funded research projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Regular research consultation, feedback, and guidance to teams of faculty, graduate students, and community members working on our Mellon-funded public humanities projects, as well as to the lead PIs on the overall project design, associated timelines, university policies, suggested adaptations, the implementation of activities, and the design of assessment related to grant activities.
• Create or develop research communications and participate in research dissemination through presentations at conferences and professional meetings, publications and media, outreach to community partners, project publicity, and project communications, which may include a variety of multimedia formats.
• Based on expertise in public humanities and/or community-engaged research, the candidate will design and coordinate workshops, research programs, and community events, including investigating and proposing best practices focused on continued community engagement. This will include a public humanities bootcamp, speaker series on public humanities, symposium on public humanities, and mass media coaching and training workshops.
• Based on knowledge of best practices in public humanities and/or community-engaged research, the candidate will build and maintain ongoing relationships with community partners directly involved in the project, as well as recruit new community members and partners to participate. This may involve active participation in ongoing meetings with PIs and community partners and may later involve independent follow-up with community partners (with PI approval) that will allow the candidate to assist in matchmaking community partners with faculty and graduate student researchers and their related projects. This also includes designing or providing input on the design of community programs and events and actively participating in those community events with PIs and funded fellows.
• Grant project data collection, survey design, and recordkeeping: lead data collection for grant reporting purposes; design and execute surveys; suggest additional avenues for assessment based on reviewing existing research on assessment practices related to public humanities; maintain assessment records; maintain research project meeting and planning notes; create project timelines, tracking, and analysis; and conduct internal project budget tracking for ongoing planning purposes.
• Based on the candidate's existing research expertise and their own ongoing research and professional development in the area of creating and sustaining research communities: build and maintain a research network of faculty, graduate students, and alumni, as well as community members who have an interest in public humanities and community-engaged research. This involves actively reviewing best practices in fostering research communities and keeping up to date with related professional research associations.
• Facilitation of project-related payments: contracts, reimbursements, travel, and purchasing submitted through campus support systems such as CBS2 and Oracle.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma and/or equivalent certification/experience/training. (Required)
• Bachelor's degree. (Preferred)
• Advanced degree. (Preferred)
• Incumbents are expected to possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. These skills, knowledge, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of extensive study and experience. (Required)
• 2 years of directly related experience in a university setting. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Understanding of public humanities, community-engaged research, and/or qualitative social science research; skills in communications, project management, timeline tracking, and community outreach. (Preferred)

Background check will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.