Relationality and Ethics Post Doctoral Research Associate 100% - CBIKS

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.

The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers.

In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

This postdoctoral position is with the Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS), a National Science Foundation Science & Technology Center.

CBIKS is an interdisciplinary center that utilizes community-based research to examine how to effectively and ethically braid Indigenous and Western science research, education, and practices related to the urgent and interconnected areas of climate change, care of cultural places, and food sovereignty.

CBIKS activities include conducting place-based research in regional Hubs worldwide while documenting and promoting ethical community-based practices of braiding Indigenous and Western science.

The person who holds this position will assist two CBIKS thematic working groups (TWGs) : the Ethics TWG and the Relationality & Research Development TWG.

This is an on-site position at CBIKS Central on the UMass Amherst campus in Amherst, MA with the expectation of some remote work.

This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal in a second year.

Essential Functions

• Supports the development and documentation of ethics protocols and practices for the CBIKS community.
• Supports the CBIKS Relationality and Research Development TWG in identifying strong examples of research development and relationship building in CBIKS regional Hubs.
• Collaborates with selected TWGs (Ethics, Training Scientists, and Relationality & Research Development) on the development of online learning modules (learning bundles) on topics of Relationality, Ethics, and Protocols of Care.
• Gathers and analyzes data related to TWG research and contributes to drafting publications.
• Assists with coordination of the Thematic Working Groups Circle.
• Organizes meetings of the Ethics and Relationality TWGs, including developing meeting agendas, establishing meeting dates / times, setting reminders, taking / sharing notes.
• Documents progress and success of TWGs' work for reports.
• Works collaboratively with the CBIKS staff and research teams to ensure productive teamwork and a culture of inclusivity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD with social science focus required by the time of hire. Fields may include Ethics, Philosophy, Anthropology, Native American and Indigenous Studies, Science and Technology Studies, Sociology, or related fields.
• Experience in field-based research methods in social sciences.
• Have been academically active for no longer than 4 years post-PhD.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of Indigenous communities.
• Experience with social science research methods and in documentation of research practices.
• Experience in community-based research.
• Familiarity with ethics research, themes, and problems in a relevant social sciences field.
• Familiarity with relationality as a guiding principle in collaborative and community-based research.

Additional Information

Anticipated start date of 9 / 1 / 24, but may be negotiated.

Application Instructions

Please submit a CV, cover letter, tact information for 3 professional references along with the application. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.

To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.

It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.