Senior Research Associate

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources prepares leaders in the conservation and sustainable management of forests and other renewable natural resources using the latest ideas and technology for real world applications.

8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Masters degree in human dimensions, social sciences or related discipline conferred by December 31, 2020

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious, highly fatal disease that has infected wild and domestic lagomorphs in 10 states and will likely spread rapidly across the United States if not contained. Continued spread of RHDV2 will adversely affect small game hunting, the commercial rabbit industry and the pet industry, as well as resulting in trophic cascades. Lack of clear regulatory authority, the size of the live rabbit trade, and the number and diversity of stakeholders involved are impeding states' ability to respond to RHDV2. The individual hired onto this project will use both quantitative and qualitative human dimensions methods (surveys and interviews) to:

1) determine how key stakeholders may be engaged in appropriate voluntary behaviors to prevent or contain the spread of RHDV2;

2) create a national summary identifying agency knowledge gaps; and

3) identify opportunities for, and barriers to, cooperative efforts to contain RHDV2, including coordination between agencies and cooperation with industry groups.

This is a 12 month full-time appointment.

Applicants completed graduate level coursework in human dimensions theories and methods (or comparable social sciences methods) prior to the start date of this position. Applicants will demonstrate that they can apply human dimensions or other social sciences theories and methods in an applied research context. Applicants will have experience in survey design and quantitative analysis, including analysis of survey data (e.g. logistic regression). Applicants must be proficient in computer languages suitable for statistical analysis (e.g., R, STATA).

Based in Athens, GA, in order to meet in-person with the research team on a regular basis (subject to social distancing protocols required to manage COVID-19) and to complete all job duties that expect the applicant to be present on the University of Georgia campus. Travel related to this research is not currently anticipated. This position has no field research.

The applicant will design and conduct semi-structured interviews with at least 1 member of a state wildlife agency for all 50 states and members of agricultural and/or veterinary agencies. The applicant will record these interviews. The interviews will be transcribed by interns. The applicant will independently analyze the interview transcripts to create a national summary identifying agency knowledge gaps related to RHDV2; and identify opportunities for, and barriers to, cooperative efforts to contain RHDV2. The applicant will ensure that all research efforts are reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Georgia.

The applicant will design, pre-test and administer online surveys to key stakeholders in the management of RHDV2 transmission, including (but not limited to) hunters, falconers, the commercial rabbit industry, the pet industry (including pet owners and hobbyist groups), and veterinarians. The applicant will clean and analyze all data collected. The applicant will also identify means to recruit survey participants, for example by compiling a list of email addresses for survey participants and/or identifying organizations and groups who are able to email the online survey to their group members. The applicant will ensure that all research efforts are reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Georgia.

The applicant will assist in the design of education and outreach programming to inform key stakeholders about RHDV2 and to elicit these stakeholders' support for appropriate efforts to contain the spread of RHDV2.

The applicant will produce peer-review journal publications and conference and workshop presentations to share the results of this research with a larger audience of researchers, managers and practitioners.