Durham, NH

Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Food Systems

Organization: Food Systems Lab at the University of New Hampshire

Location: Durham, NH

Organization Overview: The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is New Hampshire’s flagship public research institution (with an R1 designation), located just minutes from the ocean and within reach of everything from the state’s renowned mountains and lakes region to the major metropolitan hub of Boston. For over 150 years, UNH has delivered hands-on learning, research, and work experiences that bring together students, faculty, and private and public partners to create life-changing opportunities and innovative solutions in our neighborhoods and across the world. 

Position Overview: The Food Systems Lab at UNH led by Dr. Analena Bruce, Assistant Professor of Food Systems, is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead two research projects funded by the USDA NIFA Agriculture Food Research Initiative (AFRI), and USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) programs. The projects are designed to advance the development of collaborative aggregation and marketing models and examine the role of cultural identity in food markets, to increase public engagement in values-based food supply chains that are designed to increase equity, sustainability, and resilience in the food system. The position will be housed in the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, NH. The postdoc will have opportunities to collaborate with researchers from public policy, social sciences, natural resources, agriculture, and nutrition sciences, as well as extension educators, UNH Sustainability Institute partners, and farmers and stakeholders from across the food system. They will also have the option to lead publications based on recently analyzed qualitative and survey data, to facilitate publication opportunities in the first year of the position during the data collection phase.

Duties: 

• Lead interactive farmer-to-farmer workshops and a case study on collaborative aggregation and marketing models, support the analysis of qualitative data on cultural identity, and assist with a consumer survey and other related research activities.
• Take a leadership role in the dissemination of the projects, including the writing of journal articles and a webinar, podcast, and reports and presentations for farmers and stakeholders.
• Co-advise graduate students working on the project.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in a relevant social science discipline or related interdisciplinary program,
• Excellent written and oral communication skills,
• Research experience with human subjects, cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with diverse farm and food system actors,
• Social science research training and experience in qualitative methods,
• The position requires a small amount of travel around New England, a valid driver’s license, and successful completion of both a criminal background and driving record check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Publication record that’s appropriate to career stage,
• Social science research training and experience in social survey methods,
• Experience with participatory research methods,
• Demonstrated skills in communicating research findings to broad and diverse audiences including farmers, nonprofit organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders
• Regional food system experience,
• Interdisciplinary research experience.

Start/End Dates: Summer or Fall. a year appointment with option to extend an additional year.

Salary/Pay: Competitive starting salary based on experience

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin April 20 and continue until the position is filled. 

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.