The Food System Development Lab, which is part of the WVU Center for Resilient Communities, (FSDL), actively pursues and advocates for the creation of a food system that builds equity between consumers and producers across Central Appalachia. The lab partners with and participates in projects that share a vision of food sovereignty through collective solutions without the marginalization of people, the environment, and communities.

Growing out of several existing projects the Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) will support the FSDL to provide land grant institution resources to stakeholders across the region, building tools, data, research, and the next generation of food system practitioners and advocates. Working directly with the Associate Director of the CRC (Fritz Boettner) the GRA will engage with students and partners to move forward a myriad of research, projects, and actions, while maintaining a direct connection to undergrade students to perform a variety of tasks. Additionally, the GRA will sit on the CRC project development committee and have an active voice in the decision making of new projects, lines of inquiry, and project partnerships. CRC staff understands that it is critical to involve students at every level of the CRC and maintains high regard for student input and creativity towards creating a more impactful Center at WVU.

Key tasks

·        Collaboration with CRC staff, directors, partners, undergraduate and graduate students to research, analyze, write, and visualize relevant information for regional food system development in WV and Central Appalachia.

·        Support and maintain relationships with internal and external Lab Partners on a variety of projects supported by the FSDL and other CRC labs.

·        Lead two project Evaluation Assessments and reports for CRC partners

·        Perform action research that will lead to learning, publications, and/or develop original scholarly work that relates to the following research topics; and/or is related to the advancement of a Regional Food System in Central Appalachia

o   Climate change mitigation through Agroecology

o   Food Security (regionally and nationally) and access

o   Cooperative production development and support for farmers

o   Development of a coordinated logistics and distribution network

o   Alternative market development and economic analysis; value chain analysis

o   Policy development and analysis

o   Production planning coordination and tool development

·        Lead and manage undergraduate students through the Sustainable Development Internship, Spring 2023

·        Align external and internal projects with interns

·        Work directly with CRC Associate Director to develop projects and support a variety of grant proposal(s) to meet education and research goals.

·        Attend weekly meetings, serve on the CRC office management rotation with other students

·        Participate in staff meetings to help guide CRC initiatives and lines in inquiry.

 

Job Requirements

·        Graduate student at West Virginia University with an interest in Food Systems

·        Minimum one year of professional experience

·        Demonstrated research and writing experience, sample writing or project report preferred

·        Ability to multitasks and provide management to undergraduate students

·        GIS, excel, and database development experience preferred

·        Survey development and implementation

·        Qualitative and Quantitative synthesis

 

Compensation

Term – 2022/2023 Academic Year with the possibility of an extension and/or summer work. $18,750 per academic year. Tuition remission for Geography Majors. 20 hours per week

Please submit a cover letter and C.V. to jboettne@mix.wvu.edu by Monday September 5th, 2022.

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