About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The Family Forest Research Center (FFRC) is a collaborative initiative between the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station. The FFRC is housed in the UMass College of Natural Sciences, Department of Environmental Conservation. Our mission is to deepen the understanding of private forest owners of timber products and sustainable forestry. Learn more about us at www.familyforestresearchcenter.org.
The FFRC is seeking a motivated and personable Research Fellow to join our team. This position involves working closely with FFRC directors Dr. Brett Butler and Paul Catanzaro, and other FFRC members, on various projects that explore the role of corporate forest owners and national resource use, including the Timber Product Output Survey (TPO). Specific responsibilities will be tailored to the fellow’s interests and skills, providing a dynamic and flexible work environment. Projects are to be determined but will likely include corporate ownership dynamics and national resource use monitoring analyses.
Essential Functions
- Collaborate with FFRC team members and external researchers on ongoing research projects.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research on corporate forest ownership and timber product outputs.
- Analyze data and prepare reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Contribute to the development of new research initiatives based on the fellow’s interests and expertise.
Other Functions
- Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
- Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
- Perform other duties assigned to support the College of Natural Sciences' mission and goals.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelors degree in a scientific discipline (forestry, environmental science, human dimensions, or related field preferred)
- Two (2) years of related experience.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Experience writing peer-reviewed journal articles, formal reports, and/or proposals.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Statistical analysis experience preferred (ideally modeling and estimation).
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R) and GIS tools is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Experience with surveys, mills, or corporate forest owners preferred.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical Office Environment
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm (hours flexible)
Salary Information
Salary commensurate with experience.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Upload your resume along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.
As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.