The position will be based in the USDA NRCS Missouri State Office in Columbia, Missouri.
Pay Grade: 90N
Context of Job:
The Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, at the University of Delaware, seeks a Limited Term Researcher of Conservation Delivery.
The position will be based in the USDA NRCS Missouri State Office in Columbia, Missouri and will work under the guidance of Kent D. Messer, Director of the Center for Behavioral and Experimental Agri-Environmental Research (CBEAR). The successful candidate will collaborate closely with USDA NRCS, Ducks Unlimited at both the Missouri and national levels, and a network of applied researchers to improve conservation program delivery through behavioral science.
This is a rare opportunity to help establish one of the first embedded behavioral science programs within USDA conservation delivery while contributing to applied research with national relevance.
Major Responsibilities:
- Serve as an embedded behavioral scientist within Missouri NRCS and build trusted relationships with field staff, leadership, farmers, producer groups, and partner organizations.
- Work with Missouri Producer Working Groups to identify opportunities to improve strategic conservation planning and program delivery.
- Develop a systematic inventory of administrative friction ('sludge') and behavioral barriers affecting conservation program participation, implementation, and persistence.
- Collaborate with CBEAR researchers, NRCS, and Ducks Unlimited to design, implement, and evaluate behavioral interventions via randomized controlled trials.
- Refine and expand training modules that help USDA and partner conservation professionals apply behavioral science to improve outreach, communication, and conservation delivery.
- Translate research into practical tools for conservation professionals while bringing practitioner insights back into research.
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at professional conferences.
Qualifications:
- Master's or Ph.D. in behavioral economics, economics, psychology, public policy, or a related field.
- Strong analytical and communication skills, interest in applied field research related to agri-environmental topics.
- Enthusiasm for working across academic and practitioner communities.
Special Requirements:
Travel will include work throughout Missouri with producer groups and conservation partners, periodic visits to the University of Delaware, Ducks Unlimited national headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, and professional conferences.
Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies.
Applications close: Open until filled
The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
