We are actively seeking a Research Associate to collaborate with the Just Environments Area Director and our extensive network of community partners and teams. This role is ideal for someone passionate about applying research justice principles to promote environmental justice and equity. You will play a key part in coordinating projects that address environmental inequalities, supporting capacity building with partners, and fostering collaborations that challenge conventional power dynamics. We value experience in managing diverse approaches and a commitment to working with communities to drive sustainable and just environmental practices.
In this role, you’ll work closely with community organizations, fellow researchers, and policymakers to support the design and execution of research projects. You will manage the development of partnerships and research collaborations, ensuring projects integrate participatory approaches and social justice frameworks into their methods. This position also involves overseeing student research, mentoring, and building capacity within partner organizations to further environmental justice goals.
We are committed to creating a team that reflects the diversity of our city, region, and world, and fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful work environment. We welcome and encourage applications from all individuals, particularly women and members of underrepresented groups.
To apply
Apply at: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/28349
Please upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references on the application site and email those directly to Kay Jowers at kay.jowers@duke.edu
Duties
- Manage research projects in collaboration with community organizations, activists, and research teams, ensuring alignment with environmental justice and research justice principles.
- Foster and build capacity among community partners by engaging them as equal collaborators in research, ensuring their perspectives and priorities are at the center of the work.
- Coordinate the co-design and implementation of research projects, ensuring the integration of participatory methods and social justice frameworks.
- Support the dissemination of research findings through accessible reports, presentations, community forums, and academic publications, engaging a range of audiences.
- Supervise and mentor students, fostering their growth in research justice principles and environmental justice work.
- Stay informed about emerging research methodologies, ethical considerations, and social justice frameworks, ensuring their integration into research practices.
- Collaborate with funding agencies, contribute to grant writing and proposal development, and manage research budgets and timelines.
Skills
- A degree in Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Demography, Sociology, or a related field is required.
- Strong project management experience, particularly in collaborative research settings that involve community partners.
- Familiarity with research justice principles and a range of research methodologies, including participatory approaches.
- Experience building and maintaining partnerships with diverse stakeholders, especially in communities impacted by environmental injustices.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build inclusive research spaces.
- A demonstrated commitment to ethical research practices, including community consent and data sovereignty.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, lead teams, and foster collaboration across disciplines and organizations.
- Knowledge of interdisciplinary approaches and an openness to integrating diverse research methodologies into projects.
Education & Experience Required
We understand that expertise in environmental justice may originate from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Therefore, we welcome applications from candidates with diverse educational and experiential backgrounds. This could include a bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of relevant work experience, a master’s degree plus 3 years of work experience, or recent PhD graduates.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.