Human Dimensions Research Associate

University of Alberta

Research Associate conducting research on human-wildlife interactions and mentoring in the Human Dimensions Research Lab. Collaborating on projects addressing conservation and public health challenges.

Posted 5/27/2026full-timeEdmonton • 🇨🇦 CanadaJuniorMid-Level💰 CA$63,465 - CA$71,402 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Conduct original research that quantifies risk perceptions about wildlife diseases.
Identify social correlates of grassland conservation.
Explore variations in waterfowl hunters’ worldviews with regards to wetland and waterfowl conservation.
Provide mentorship in social-psychological modeling, social-ecological systems, and advanced multivariate analysis to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Work in collaboration with, and report directly to, the Principal Investigator of the Human Dimensions Research Lab.
Co-lead the broader investigation of “Social-ecological challenges at the human-wildlife interface: Coyotes, zoonotic disease and public health.

Requirements

What you’ll need

An earned Ph.D. in Conservation Sciences or Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, or a closely related field, with a focus on statistical modeling, social-ecological systems, and applied conservation.
Have at least four years of post-doctoral scholarship experience.
Knowledge of conservation of species and habitats in wetland and grassland contexts.
Knowledge of the disease risk landscape associated with coyotes.
Direct experience of working with hunters and hunting-related professionals.
Demonstrated expertise in designing and completing systematic reviews and evidence synthesis.
Demonstrated expertise in developing and administering qualitative and quantitative social data collection, including large scale surveys, focus groups, expert elicitation workshops, interviews, and cognitive interviews.
Expert at preparing datasets for analysis.
Expertise in multivariate statistical modelling, including GLMs and factor analysis.
Advanced expertise in econometric approaches, including discrete choice modelling and contingent valuation.
Proficiency in R, NLOGIT, and Ngene programming for statistical modeling.
Direct experience of working with North American Waterfowl Management Plan partner organizations.
Experience working in, and leading interdisciplinary research teams, specifically that seek to integrate knowledge from social and natural sciences (particularly ecology).
Have a strong record of publishing and presenting scientific research to interdisciplinary audiences on topics related to wildlife management and wildlife habitat conservation in a variety of contexts.
Experience communicating social science approaches and outcomes to non-social scientists.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with experience fostering collaborative research environments and mentoring early-career researchers or students in interdisciplinary human dimensions research.
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive benefits package

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

statistical modelingsocial-ecological systemsmultivariate analysissystematic reviewsevidence synthesisqualitative data collectionquantitative data collectionmultivariate statistical modellingeconometric approachesdiscrete choice modelling

Soft Skills

mentorshipinterpersonal skillsleadership skillscollaborative researchcommunication skillscommitment to equitycommitment to diversitycommitment to inclusion

Certifications

Ph.D. in Conservation SciencesPh.D. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources