Senior Research Associate - Metropolitan Human-Wildlife Conflicts

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

Standard hours - Monday thru Friday; 8:00 AM - 5:00PM

This is a 12-month position and subject to availability of funds.

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).

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Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

MS or PhD in human dimensions, social sciences or related discipline conferred by August 31, 2021.
Applicants must 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).

Managing human-wildlife interactions in urbanized environments is an increasing concern for wildlife management agencies. Although suburban and urban environments provide important habitat for wildlife, the high density of people increases the probability of negative human-wildlife interactions (e.g., vehicle collisions with deer, damage to personal property by wildlife, harm to pets, anthropogenic food conditioning of wildlife). Suburban and urban residents may have limited knowledge of wildlife or how to mitigate potential conflicts with wildlife. Moreover, suburban and urban residents may be unaware that state wildlife agencies have the expertise to assist them in managing potential conflicts with wildlife.

The successful candidate will conduct a human dimensions study in the metropolitan Atlanta (metro-Atlanta) region to determine the following:
1. Metro-Atlanta residents' level of wildlife tolerance, and determinants of wildlife tolerance, e.g. attitudes, beliefs, risk concerns, pet ownership, socio-demographics;
2. Perceived positive and negative impacts of wildlife, and whether certain wildlife species tend to be liked or disliked;
3. Residents' knowledge of appropriate actions to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, and their willingness to engage in these actions;
4. Residents' prior awareness of Georgia Department of Natural Resources ( GADNR), and their level of trust in GADNR; and
5. How residents would prefer to receive information about living with wildlife.

Applicants must have completed graduate level coursework in human dimensions theories and methods (or comparable social sciences methods) prior to the start date of this position. Applicants must demonstrate that they can apply human dimensions or other social sciences theories and methods in an applied research context. Applicants must 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).

The successful applicant is expected to meet 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. Driving.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

The applicant will design and pre-test online surveys to be administered to residents of the metro-Atlanta region. The applicant will coordinate with Research Services at Qualtrics to administer the survey. The applicant will ensure that all completed surveys meet data quality standards (e.g., respondents answered all questions, did not speed through the survey, did not fail attention check and data validity questions). The applicant will clean and analyze all data collected using appropriate regression analyses to identify determinants of wildlife tolerance. 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 generate a final report for GADNR which provides descriptive statistics for all survey questions, the results of regression and other appropriate analyses, and recommendations on how GADNR may enhance their engagement with residents of the metropolitan Atlanta region. The applicant will present the results of this study to GADNR (online or in-person depending on health and safety restrictions).

The applicant will disseminate research findings at academic meetings and conferences. The applicant will also undertake additional research and extension tasks associated with this project, as identified by Dr. Pienaar..