Research Social Scientist - Remote

at  Colorado State University

DESCRIPTION OF WORK UNIT

As an academic department at Colorado State University we conduct research in the area of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (HDNR) and prepare students for careers in conservation leadership and tourism. This area of study focuses on understanding and attending to the needs and values of humans, human society, and culture as they relate to the natural environment. HDNR is one of the few programs in the United States that offers a comprehensive bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral program. It also has a fast growing entrepreneurial program that offers degrees and certificates in tourism through online offerings.

POSITION SUMMARY

The research social scientist in the Animal Human Policy Center (AHPC) plays a key role in a social science research study on the federal Animal Care (AC) program, which implements that Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act throughout the United States. The research social scientist will help lead data collection and analysis, including conducting interviews/focus groups and analyzing and writing up the results of interviews/focus groups. The social science research scientist will need to have specialized experience in conducting interviews with diverse stakeholders on animal-related issues and conducting qualitative analysis, particularly inductive thematic coding.
The research scientist position will be housed within the AHPC, in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department at Colorado State University. This position will work closely with a team, including the director of the Animal Human Policy Center, principle investigator, co-principal investigator, a research scientist with expertise in veterinary medicine, and a research coordinator, to implement this research over a year time-frame. The research scientist will be working remotely but will expected to attend two 2-day in-person workshops in Fort Collins with the research team as well as a 2-day stakeholder engagement workshop to present results at the end of the research project.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• The successful candidate must have earned a Ph.D. degree in Social Science, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Social Work, or a related discipline before the start date.
• The applicant must have a background and interest in research on stakeholder perspectives on animal protection/welfare.
• The applicant must have a demonstrated capability to implemented social science research using interviews/focus groups and leading qualitative analyses of data from interviews/focus groups.
• The applicant must have a demonstrated publication record in qualitative social science research.
• The applicant must have demonstrated experience using NVivo to conduct qualitative analysis and knowledge of diverse approaches for analyzing qualitative data.
• The applicant must be available to start no later than August 1st, 2024.

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working on social science research on public and/or stakeholder perspectives on animals in facilities regulated by the USDA Animal Care Program
• Understanding of the federal Animal Welfare Act, the Horse Protection Act, and the USDA Animal Care Program
• Demonstrated experience interviewing, communicating with, or working with diverse stakeholders on issues around animal-human relations

Please refer the Job description for details