Research Coordinator: Policy & Value Chain Research (0.5 FTE)

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

1d • $70,008 - $94,992 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Coordinator: Policy & Value Chain Research (0.5 FTE) to join their team. This is a part-time, 50% FTE position. Additional FTE (up to 100%) may be available based on evolving program needs Location: Seattle or hybrid, with statewide travel to partner sites, as needed. Project Overview: This project is a transdisciplinary effort connecting plant breeding, soil health, food product development, and implementation science to develop and commercialize nutritious, climate‑friendly whole‑grain and legume varieties and foods, with a major translation pathway into school meal programs across Washington. Our team will be leading implementation activities and these will include evidence syntheses, policy and budget analyses of school food procurement, qualitative research with producers/processors and school food personnel, and network mapping and value chain analysis to bridge gaps from grain harvest to healthy products in schools and markets. Position Summary: The Research Coordinator will lead partnerships, data collection, analytic, and educational components of the implementation science work with producers/processors including: a scoping review, a value-chain and network mapping analyses, and in‑depth interviews and user journey mapping with producers/processors to identify barriers and facilitators to adoption and commercialization of novel grain and legume varieties, and planning a 5-week study away educational program.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Systems, Implementation Science, Agricultural/Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Public Health, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience with research methods such as evidence syntheses, implementation research, value chain research, or qualitative research.
• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
• Familiarity with value chain or supply chain analysis in food systems.
• Familiarity with human subjects research and IRB procedures; strong project management and communication skills.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree (MPH, MS, or PhD) in Food Systems, Implementation Science, Agricultural/Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Public Health, , or related field.
• Experience working with agricultural producers and processors.
• Knowledge of regional grain supply chains and commercialization pathways.
• Experience with stakeholder-engaged and interdisciplinary research.
• Proficiency with mixed-methods and implementation science research methods such as evidence synthesis (e.g., scoping reviews), value chain analysis, network mapping, and qualitative research (e.g., in-depth interviews, user journey mapping).
• Experience with scientific writing (including peer-reviewed publications) and writing for public audiences.
• Proficiency with research software including Qualtrics/REDCap, Dedoose, network mapping tools, and data visualization software.

Responsibilities

• Study Development (10%): Collaborate with PI/co‑PIs to plan and design producer/processor implementation activities aligned with project goals. Develop protocols and timelines for engagement and data collection.
• Study Coordination (20%): Recruit and schedule interviews with grain and legume producers and processors and supply chain stakeholders. Draft and submit IRB materials; maintain compliance, renewals, and modifications for any human‑subjects activities with producers and processors. Manage project calendars, action items, secure file sharing, and stakeholder communications; prepare graphics for stakeholder audiences.
• Data Collection (20%): Collect implementation data with producers and processors based on study protocols, including (a) scoping review data, (b) value chain and network mapping data, and (c) in-depth interviews and journey mapping.
• Analysis & Dissemination (30%): Analyze implementation data, including (a) scoping review data, (b) network mapping and value chain data and (c) qualitative data from in-depth interviews and journey mapping with producers and processors. Contribute to progress reports, deliverables, and toolkits about implementation data; co‑author manuscripts and practice briefs.
• Study Away Program (15%): Assist with planning and logistics for the 5-week study away program (in ~June every summer for three summers), including scheduling site visits, coordinating with farmers, processors, and school districts, and helping develop educational materials and activities for students, ensuring integration of research insights (e.g., producer/processor/school insights and experiences, value chain mapping, journey maps). Direct or co-direct the study away program, which may include being on-site with students.
• Administration & Operations (5%): Track deliverables to funders and partners; support budget monitoring and subaward communications and coordination related to producer/processor implementation activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level