Research Associate

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r**Research Associate**

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rNorthern Arizona University

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r****Special Information****

- This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to

complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility

with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are

rare.

- This position is subject to the availability of funding. The

incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal

notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.

****About the Department/College****

The Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) at Northern Arizona

University (NAU) serves diverse audiences with objective science and

implementation strategies that support ecological restoration and

climate adaptation on Western forest landscapes.

**About the Position**

The Research Associate who will implement the ERI\'s forest operations

and biomass utilization projects in accordance with the ERI and NAU

strategic plans and annual work plans set out by the organization. The

successful candidate will work collaboratively to develop new research

projects, manage ongoing research activities, support the ERI\'s

outreach programs on federal, state, tribal, and private lands, and

assist in the development of forest products industry and wood

utilization innovation strategies. S/he will work within the guidelines,

policies, and mission of the ERI and NAU.

**Responsibilities Include**

30% - Research

- Carrying out the Transaction Evidence Appraisal (TEA) project for

forest operation feasibility, which includes selecting appropriate

analysis procedures, setting up data for analysis, and producing

written reports on the result of the analysis.

- Writing reports, peer reviewed publications, and outreach materials.

- Presentation of project results to internal and external parties at

professional conferences, seminars, and workshops.

25% - Scholarly Activities

- Planning and designing new research projects, establishing

priorities, and recommending work schedules and costs.

- Identify and develop grant proposals for new research projects.

20% - Collaboration and Partnerships

- Coordinate the efforts of implementing forest operations and biomass

utilization projects between the USDA Forest Service collaborators,

university extensions, and forest products companies in the

Southwest.

- Liaisons with other NAU departments to ensure success of project.

15% - Technology Management

- Effectively use forest operation-cost tools with new forest

technology to improve business management and in-woods forest

operations.

5% - Professional Support

- Provide assistance to other research project teams and

administrative staff members at Ecological Restoration Institute

(ERI) as needed.

5% - Other

- Other duties as assigned.

**Minimum Qualifications**

- Master\'s degree in relevant discipline.

- 4 years of research support experience.

*\*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be

used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.*

**Preferred Qualifications**

- Master\'s degree in Forest Operations/Economics and work experience

pertinent to this position.

- Work experience with the natural resource management, and timber

sale contracting on Southwestern National Forests.

- Work experience with the forest products industry in the US

Southwest.

- Familiarity with the USFS Wildfire Crisis Strategy (WCS).

- Familiarity and experience with the economic and logistical

challenges associated with forest restoration thinning treatments.

**Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities**

Knowledge

- Dem nstrated knowledge and research experience in a wide range of

forest restoration and fuel reduction thinning treatments on

national forests.

- Demonstrated knowledge of timber sale analysis on national forests

in the context of ecological restoration in partnership with

professional staff and external collaborators.

- Knowledge of the ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests typical of

the Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions.

- Knowledge of principles and techniques of relevant research

practices.

- Knowledge of research methods, protocols, data collection, and

analysis.

- Developing knowledge of relevant research discipline.

- Knowledge of proper safety and compliance practices related to the

conduct of research.

- Familiarity with wood and biomass utilization and the forest

products industry in the US Southwest.

Skills

Technical understanding and proficiency related to conducting relevant

research procedures.

Proficiency in MS Excel and other data management tools such as R,

Python, or ArcGIS.

Must have excellent organizational, project management, and

communication skills.

Technical experience performing statistical analysis on forest

restoratio