Research Area Specialist Inter

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How to Apply

You must submit a cover letter and resume (including the names of three potential references) as a single document to be considered for this position. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your skills and related experience.

Who We Are

The Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan mobilizes the expertise and passion of faculty, students, partners, and decision-makers to work together and bring world-class research to real-world sustainability challenges. Our initiatives lead to positive outcomes that safeguard the planet's life support systems and enhance well-being for present and future generations.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan Water Center at the Graham Sustainability Institute is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented collaboration specialist to join the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative program hosted by the Center. The successful applicant will integrate into a team whose members lead and implement project plans and provide thoughtful feedback to the work of teammates. Work is fast-paced and variable, covering a variety of activities supporting the Science Collaborative, with an emphasis on supporting the implementation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) excels at the practice of collaborative science and has pioneered many techniques that make it successful. One such innovation is the Reserve System's Science Collaborative. With funding from NOAA, the NERRS Science Collaborative provides support for collaborative projects that are conducted in partnership with one or more reserve sites located around the country. The Science Collaborative helps the NERRS address critical coastal management needs by providing resources and tools for developing strong projects, selecting and supporting collaborative science projects through national competitions, providing training in collaborative science, and disseminating knowledge, processes, and key lessons learned. With a national network dedicated to sharing tools and knowledge, research conducted at one reserve strengthens all 30 sites and the communities they serve, leaving them better prepared to manage our changing coasts.

The NERRS Science Collaborative is newly supporting the implementation of NOAAs Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship. The goal of the Davidson Fellowship is to provide research that meets priority management needs of the reserves and their coastal communities, while building the next generation of leaders in estuarine science and coastal management. The program provides graduate students the opportunity to conduct collaborative science with reserves, participate in professional development opportunities, receive mentoring to support professional growth, and create a strong network with other fellows.

At the Graham Sustainability Institute, our mission is to mobilize the expertise and passion of scholars, partners, and decision-makers to work together and bring world-class research to real-world sustainability challenges ensuring that each member of our community thrives. The NERRS Science Collaborative is part of a network of programs that contributes to this shared mission.

Responsibilities*

This position will focus on implementation support of the Davidson Fellowship but will be deeply integrated in the NERRS Science Collaborative (NSC) program and team, contributing to other program activities as described below.

Program support and development (30%):

• Support national requests for proposal solicitation and review processes.
• Provide input and support to program learning and adaptation.

Project management (30%):

• Manage and provide support to a cohort of up to 30 fellows, including conducting check-in calls, tracking and approving invoices, reviewing and approving progress reports, providing collaborative science support, and overseeing project closeout/archival.

Workshops and learning activities (30%):

• Lead development and implementation of collaborative science training for fellows.
• Support the implementation of NSC workshops and other opportunities to foster peer-to-peer learning about collaborative science.
• Support the development of collaborative science resources and their integration into the Guide to Collaborative Science.

Communications (10%):

• Contribute to the communication of NSC and Fellowship activities and impacts, including generating content for email updates, newsletters, the Science Collaborative website, progress reports, and other content as needed.

Required Qualifications*

• Qualifications
• Graduate degree in a relevant natural or social science field
• Demonstrated interest in natural science-informed or human dimensions of coastal issues such as water quality, climate adaptation, water policy, coastal land use planning, or wetland habitat restoration
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to effectively prioritize multiple projects with tight deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative team environment that is both fast-paced and detail-oriented
• Experience with engagement, outreach, and facilitation
• Proven ability to work independently
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Zoom, and Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Spreadsheets) applications

Required skills/traits

• Collaboration experience (for example, within research, policy, communication, or other contexts)
• Flexible/adaptive to different systems and processes for organizing the program's work based on needs and team members' skillsets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience with virtual engagement
• Openness and willingness to be part of a collaborative team with the expectation that team collaboration includes input and feedback on all aspects of the work

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

• Three-year term appointment through September 2029, with opportunities to extend contingent upon funding and performance.
• You will work on-site at the Graham Sustainability Institute offices in Ann Arbor, with flexible scheduling and remote opportunities made available within Graham Institute policies.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.