The Center for Resilient Communities at West Virginia University Research Corporation is currently seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate.

About the Opportunity

The post-doctoral research associate will assist the Executive Director of the CRC with the development of the newly established Resilient Communities Institute (including administrative tasks related to coordinating non-credit bearing workshops) and be responsible for 1) coordinate the collaborative research program in the area of community economies and regional development and 2) building an independent research program focused on the themes of community development, migration and immigrant communities in Appalachia

At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• Paid Time off (PTO)
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks

What You'll Do

• Conduct independent research activities including field research, publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals and grant seeking in the areas of community development, migration and migrant communities in Appalachia. This includes drafting and submitting manuscripts to journals, identifying funders, drafting and submitting grants to advance this research program
• Coordinate collaborative research team on projects in the Community Economies and Regional Development Area of Inquiry of the CRC. This includes coordinating weekly working group meetings, writing up collective research outputs, and communicating with community partners.
• Coordinating the Community Economies Workshop of the Resilient Communities Institute with 30 participants in Fall 2024. Supporting project partners and planning for Spring 2025 internships.
• Administrative tasks in support of establishing the Resilient Communities Institute including recruitment, admissions, event coordination, communications and partnership development.
• Coordinating short-term, medium-term and comprehensive evaluation of all CRC educational programs within the structure of a monitoring, evaluation and learning plan.

• Ph.D. in a field related to building resilient communities; a Ph.D. in geography is desired.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the following areas:
  • Experiential learning
  • Program coordination
  • Program evaluation
  • Community-based participatory research
  • Independent project management
  • Administrative work in higher education
  • Building collaborative relationships with campus & community
  • Experience with discourse of education for sustainable development
• Knowledge of research methods, timelines and guidelines and experience in academic research
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and advise students
• Experience in administrative/office functions, including working knowledge of Google Drive Suite, Zoom, Canva, Mail Chimp
• Demonstrate, through a combination of experience and knowledge, an understanding of the challenges of equitable and inclusive development in Appalachia or the South
• Demonstrate, through a combination of experience and knowledge, an understanding of the challenges of transforming higher education to meet the aspirations of the people of the Appalachian region
• Maintain an active research program in the region of Appalachia focused on the community economies and regional development areas of inquiry of the CRC
• Produce high quality peer-reviewed publications in their area of inquiry and collaborative publications on education for sustainable development and/or community-based participatory action research
• Provide efficient administrative assistance to the Resilient Communities Institute including coordinating support to our partner workshops and experiential learning opportunities including field study and travel. This includes:
  • Coordinating educational program recruitment, application, admission, and orientation.
  • Contributing to short-term, medium-term and comprehensive evaluation of all CRC educational programs within the structure of a monitoring, evaluation and learning plan.
• Actively participate in fundraising and resource development to support sustainability of the CRC
• Communicate the CRC's research through publication and independent research related to the programmatic focus and the candidate's area of expertise
• Contribute to network communications through newsletters, speaker series, and other community building efforts.

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.