Job Description

Tribal Research Lead Posting Number req27353 Department AZ Inst for Resilience Department Website Link https://air.arizona.edu/ Location Tucson Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights

The Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (SW CASC), an applied research collaboration between the United States Geological Survey and a consortium of universities led by the University of Arizona, seeks a Tribal Research Lead to lead its research and outreach programs with Tribal communities in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. The mission of the SW CASC is to develop actionable science and implementable climate adaptation solutions in partnership with natural and cultural resource managers, policy makers, Native Nations, and researchers across the Southwest.

This position will guide the development and implementation of a research program to identify Tribal needs for weather and climate monitoring infrastructure, and will respond to other climate adaptation science needs of Tribal communities as they arise. Climate impacts like changes in water availability, altered fire regimes, extreme weather events, and changes in soil and ecosystem health are making the environment more unpredictable. With increasing likelihood of drought, wildfire, flooding, heat stress, and other natural hazards, Tribal Nations need increased access to climate data to inform their land management practices, to be able to apply for funding that requires climate data, and to be better positioned to be able to assert their sovereignty in policy-making spaces.

Specifically, this position will:

• Work with Tribes throughout the Southwest (CA, AZ, UT, NV) to assess gaps in weather and climate monitoring and co-develop solutions to address these gaps.
• Work to connect Tribes throughout the Southwest to climate adaptation resources available through the USGS Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (SW CASC) and other relevant partners.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, design, and conduct research to meet Tribal needs.
• Partner with Tribal communities to co-develop research needs and methods.
• Author/co-author articles in peer-reviewed journals, books or chapter publications.
• Present and/or participate at conferences.
• Ensure regulatory compliance of the research program by collaborating with granting agencies and regulators as required by research program.
• Partner in the acquisition of research funding by initiating and writing grant proposals.
• Provide input on program development and processes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center and its approach to actionable science.
• Knowledge of climate change impacts on Tribal communities in the southwestern United States and adaptive responses to address climate impacts.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• A masters degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, American Indian Studies, Geography, or a related field.
• Experience developing and conducting outreach and education programs with Tribal communities in the southwestern United States.
• Experience developing and conducting research programs with Tribal communities in the southwestern United States.
• Experience with Tribal IRB and research approval processes.
• Existing relationships with Tribal communities throughout the SW CASC region.

FLSA Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE 1.0 Work Calendar Fiscal Job Category Research Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay $59,404 - $74,254 Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE) Grade 8 Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator. Career Stream and Level PC3 Job Family Researchers & Scientists Job Function Research Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive) Number of Vacancies 1 Target Hire Date Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Aaron Lien | alien@arizona.edu Open Date 10/14/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter Special Instructions to Applicant Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.