Community Engaged Research Assistantship - WVU Center for Resilient Communities (#8511282)
The WVU Center for Resilient Communities invites applications from prospective and current graduate students in Geography or related fields for the position of Community Engaged Research Assistant (CERA) with a focus on one of our core areas of inquiry:
- Community Economies and Sustainable Regional Development
- Environmental Justice, Climate Action, and Community Wellbeing
- Food System Transformation
This is an initial nine-month appointment (May 2024 - May 2025) and is renewable up to three years dependent on degree progress, work performance and availability of funding. We have special interest in recruiting doctoral students pursuing degrees in fields / disciplines that are aligned with our areas of inquiry and have a methodological orientation toward community-based or participatory action research. First-generation college students and candidates from disadvantaged communities or underrepresented groups in post-graduate study are strongly encouraged to apply. Experience in social action or efforts to promote community wellbeing or social, economic and environmental justice in Appalachia and the South is also highly desired.
The WVU Center for Resilient Communities supports community engaged research and education programs in West Virginia, the greater Appalachian region and across the world. Applicants can learn more about the CRC here. Our aim is to foster a positive spirit, support collective inquiry, and encourage people to look to themselves, rather than outside experts, to promote community well-being and sustainable regional development.
The Community Engaged Research Assistant (CERA) will work in collaboration with the Executive Director, Development Director, Program Coordinators and other CERAs of the WVU Center for Resilient Communities to advance lines of collective inquiry and action with community partners. A primary responsibility of the position is to coordinate and implement the work plan within one of our Areas of Inquiry which includes management of cooperative agreements, modifying research plans, mentoring undergraduate students, conducting research and analyses, and writing up results for various venues while adhering to CRC principles, practices and approaches. Current Projects:
- Participatory Research and Community GIS
- Right to Food, Food Sovereignty
- Farm to Institution / Food Hubs
- Farm and Food System Education
- Water, Environmental Justice, PFAS
- Flood Vulnerabilities and Resilience Planning
- Solidarity/Diverse Economies, Cooperatives, Banking
- Rurality, Immigration, Belonging
- Education for Development / Social Action
CERAs in the CRC earn a competitive salary and work a maximum of 20 hrs per week. CERAs will have office space, access to computers and other technology necessary to complete work tasks. CERAs also have the opportunity to earn a certificate through the Community Engaged Research Training Program. The CERA will join a warm, diverse community of practice and transdisciplinary team made up of full-time staff, faculty affiliates, grassroots partners, and talented students. Orientation and training in CRC principles, practices and approaches will be required after onboarding. Some travel may be required. In addition to salary students enrolled in Eberly College of Arts and Sciences will receive a tuition waiver. Tuition waivers for students from other colleges will be determined on a case by case basis.
Applicants should please send in one PDF a curriculum vitae and 1-3 samples of writing and/or other evidence of your experience in research or social action to Dr. Bradley Wilson, Associate Professor of Geography - brwilson@mail.wvu.edu by January 15, 2024 @ 5pm for full consideration. After initial screening, finalists for the position will be asked to interview via Zoom.
In order to be successful in this position, the ideal candidate will:
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and cooperation
- Demonstrate a minimum understanding of the historic and present challenges of advancing equitable sustainable development and social justice in the Appalachian region and the South
- Thoughtfully engage the CRC’s decade of work in West Virginia and abroad and its principles for research, education and action
- Contribute to the weekly research and education activities of a small team of faculty, undergraduate, graduate and community partners to a high degree of effectiveness including
- Contribute to the annual research plan and updating progress of cooperative agreements partners
- Significant contributions to written communications such as a Quarterly Newsletter, Website, Reports, Publications
- Mentoring and supervising undergraduate interns in the Sustainable Development Internship Program
- Participation in the Community Engaged Research Training Program
- Regularly report on the progress to Executive Director, Development Director and Program Coordinators
- Work within the principles, practices and approach of the CRC to strengthen the bonds of trust between students, scholars and partners
- Participate actively in staff orientation, meetings, retreats and training
Qualifications
Minimum - Bachelor’s degree in a field related to geography and/or community engaged research
Preferred – Master’s degree in a field related to and/or community engaged research
Experience desired in the following areas:
- Social science research methods
- Geographic information systems, data visualization and mapping
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Taught, mentored or supervised youth and/or adults in education or work settings
- Facilitated meetings, particularly in community settings
- Managed independent project(s), including planning and implementing work outcome in established timelines
- Coordinated research projects with diverse teams including those with limited abilities
- Collaborated with faculty or community partners in demanding environments where priorities are spread across multiple projects simultaneously
- Mentored and advised student interns and fellow graduate assistants while achieving project goals