Research Associate, JEDSI

We are seeking a Research Associate to carry out and supervise activities funded by foundation grants for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative (JEDSI) Lab at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). The Research Associate will focus on research and dissemination related to food insecurity; green infrastructure; institutional diversity; environmental grantmaking; and environmental attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors; as well as environmental justice.

For nearly half a century, activists and scholars have worked to mitigate the disproportionate environmental hazards faced by people of color and low-income communities. Despite these efforts, environmental injustices—such as exposure to toxic wastes, pollution burdens, lack of access to healthy and affordable foods, high utility costs, and climate disasters—remain prevalent. JEDSI aims to identify interconnected actions, impacts, processes, and outcomes that perpetuate these injustices, as well as initiatives that reduce inequities and foster community resilience. The Principal Investigator is Dorceta E. Taylor of YSE.

About the role

The Research Associate will identify and assess environmental injustices in marginalized communities, collaborate with research scientists and program managers in the JEDSI Lab to publish articles and reports, and compile resources to document environmental inequalities and achievements. They will also collaborate with lab staff, supervise students, help organize the New Horizons in Conservation convenings, and manage budgets. This is a one-year fixed-duration, full-time hybrid position.

Responsibilities

• Carry out research within the scope of established study protocols, adhering to human subjects regulations defined by Yale University and the federal government.
• Develop criteria for study subject admission based on project goals and objectives.
• Determine potential funding sources and partnerships; evaluate project feasibility through analysis of staffing, resources, and financial costs.
• Negotiate contracts and changes with funders, consultants, and service providers.
• Develop original IRB submissions and collaborate on major revisions to scientific protocols.
• Design forms, questionnaires, and research techniques; write procedures manuals for data collection and coding.
• Document and transmit study data, ensuring accurate and timely completion of report forms.
• Develop, manage, and organize databases and multi-site studies; serve as a primary coordinator between Yale, non-Yale collaborators, IRB, and funding sources.
• Perform spatial mapping and descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses using software such as ArcGIS, SPSS, R, or SAS.
• Design and implement quality control measures for accurate data collection and processing.
• Contribute to written reports, abstracts, and manuscripts with original thought and relevance.
• Help organize the New Horizons in Conservation and other research convenings.
• Update and maintain the lab’s website with new content.
• Supervise student research assistants.
• Recommend procedures and protocols under higher-level direction; analyze and reach preliminary scientific conclusions for research planning.
• Compile, analyze, and present data results; prepare scientific reports and papers.
• Perform independent research and laboratory techniques; participate in experimental research planning.
• Interact with internal contacts (PI, research assistants, graduate students, safety officers, and Animal Care personnel) and external contacts (researchers at other institutions, biotechnology and reagents companies).

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in a scientific discipline and one year of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid driver’s license at the start of the appointment.
• Ability to travel; some evenings and weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent advocacy skills.
• Proficiency in spatial analysis (e.g., ArcGIS or similar software).
• Experience with statistical analysis (SPSS, R, SAS, or similar) and both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Experience with data visualization (R, Adobe Illustrator).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or doctorate in Environmental Studies, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Conservation, Biology, Geography, Environmental Policy, Environmental Justice, Urban Planning, Industrial Ecology, or Public Health.
• Knowledge of and experience with community-based engagement and research.
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships with diverse constituents.
• Experience managing multiple complex processes and projects, including budgets.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS, ArcGIS, R, Adobe Illustrator, and other web-based tools.

Pay

Salary range: $61,500.00 - $91,875.00.