PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT

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Job Summary

This position is for a Professional Research Assistant who will work in the Natural Hazards Center in the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder

The person who is hired will be expected to work on original research and research evaluation projects while also taking a lead role in administrative and financial management activities, mentoring, and event planning. The successful candidate will have a background and an established academic record involving qualitative methods and evaluation research, including experience with building and managing large databases. Further, the person must have experience with teaching as well as educational curriculum development and online training module design. The person who fills this position will be expected to work closely with the Director and Assistant Director of the Natural Hazards Center and a group of federal and philanthropic partners to conduct original research, develop research to practice publications, organize major public meetings, and edit research reports. Further, the person who fills this position should be prepared to support administrative efforts concerning funding reimbursements, travel reimbursements, and other activities. The successful candidate should therefore have experience with hazards and disaster research, research translation, and administration. The successful candidate will have to have obtained their own funding or be named in a current existing grant at the Natural Hazards Center. Ideally, the candidate will have a background and specialization in research on people with disabilities and disasters, ethics in disaster research, and disaster mental health.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Natural Hazards Center is the National Science Foundation's designated information clearinghouse for the societal dimensions of hazards and disasters. We are dedicated to reducing disaster harm by:

* Translating and sharing hazards and disaster research and information;
* Building connections between researchers, nonprofit and private sector professionals, the media, policy makers, and local, state, and federal officials;
* Advancing social science and interdisciplinary knowledge, with a special emphasis on the most vulnerable populations and places; and
* Training and mentoring a diverse next generation of hazards and disaster professionals.

Every day, we work to empower a culture where all people are educated and inspired to take positive action to mitigate hazards losses and to build stronger communities. More information on the Natural Hazards Center is available at: https://hazards.colorado.edu/.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

The successful candidate will work closely with the Director and Assistant Director of the Natural Hazards Center to accomplish the following activities:

Research Activities

* Review and edit English language reports and proposals.
* Lead and collaborate with other researchers on new and ongoing social science hazards and disaster research projects, especially as related to the CONVERGE initiative at the Center. Develop evidence-based training modules and other educational curriculum.
* Write scholarly publications for academic and professional audiences.
* Develop research output materials in Adobe InDesign and to reach a broader audience.

Research Evaluation and Research Accounting Activities

* Build databases to track and manage data collected from CONVERGE users.
* Build databases to track and manage research award recipients.
* Lead evaluation efforts related to the Center's federally funded research award programs through creating metrics and other data visualizations to showcase the impact of the programs.
* Provide financial accounting for four Research Award Programs at the Natural Hazards Center. This includes:
* Manage and improve the existing financial database of each award program call.
* Process all award payments to recipients in a timely manner and in compliance with the University of Colorado rules.
* Answer emails regarding status of payment and other award related inquiries.

Administrative Management, Budgetary Oversight, and Reimbursements

* Attend regular staff meetings with the other core staff.
* Assume responsibility for purchasing, travel, and other reimbursements for Center staff, affiliates, and grantees.
* Train and coordinate student employees.
* Support Center management, including space, scheduling, physical inventory, and computer support representative.
* Manage the onboarding of new employees.
* Track and manage Center related payments for software, products, and services charged to P-Cards.
* Process Concur reports monthly and makes sure all payments are processed in a timely manner.
* Provide guidance to all staff members on how to use Concur to process their own travel and reports.
* Manage Center and/or CONVERGE email accounts as requested.

Event Planning

* Assume responsibility for the financial planning, budgeting, and travel coordination for the annual Natural Hazards Workshop, Researchers Meeting, Practitioners Meeting, and other events.
* Manage the tracking, logistics, and communication with attendees, including lodging, reservations, registration, etc.
* Contribute to organizing activities and attendance of the annual Natural Hazards Workshop, Researchers Meeting, Practitioners Meeting, and other convenings.
* This position will serve as the point of contact and oversees all other Center official functions, as needed, including conferences, workshops, guest speakers, and meetings.

What We Can Offer

* This fully grant-funded position will include salary of $50,000 per year. The successful candidate will be eligible for health and other benefits through the University of Colorado Boulder. The Natural Hazards Center will also provide computer and software support as required for the position.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

* Master's or doctoral degree in sociology or closely related social science discipline.

What You Will Need

* At least five years experience in the field of hazards and disaster research and practice.
* A background and an established academic record involving qualitative methods and evaluation research, including experience with building large databases.
* Teaching experience and educational curriculum development and online training module design.
* Exceptional writing and editing skills.
* Experience providing professional-level financial management and administrative support.
* Demonstrated customer service experience.
* Exceptional Excel spreadsheet, organization, and accounting skills.
* Experience and proficiency in creating and editing files in Adobe InDesign.
* Demonstrated experience organizing and managing financial data.
* Experience with convenings and large event planning.
* Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced research environment.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

* Resume or CV
* Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
* PDF Sample of Work

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

During the application process you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request a letter of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses.

Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until May 1st, 2024.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Lori Peek

Posting Contact Email: lori.peek@colorado.edu

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