Department: School of Law
Rank: Research Associate
Annual Basis: 12 Month
Review of Applications Begins
Applications will be reviewed as needs arise for AY25-26
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please submit a cover letter, current resume or CV, and a minimum of three professional references.
Department Summary
The University of Oregon School of Law is a dynamic, ABA-accredited law school and Oregon’s only public law school. Degrees offered include Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Conflict and Dispute Resolution (CRES), and a minor in undergraduate legal studies. Oregon Law’s mission is to provide a world-class education. We prepare students through excellent classroom teaching paired with a multitude of practical experience opportunities and robust professional development. Our faculty produce exceptional research and scholarship. We accomplish our mission in a positive, inclusive environment where we strive to provide everyone with opportunities to grow, contribute, and develop. Our aim is to learn, teach, and practice the principles of equity and justice as critical foundations for our overall effort to achieve excellence as a top-ranked law school. Success in this work requires a diverse group of people in various faculty and staff roles working in one of our two locations, Eugene and Portland. The University of Oregon is located within the traditional homelands of the Southern Kalapuya. Learn more about Oregon Law at law.uoregon.edu, and consider joining our team.
Position Summary
The Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center is seeking to hire a Research Associate to carry out dynamic research related to climate change legal and policy solutions.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center (ENR) is a national leader in public interest environmental law and policy and innovations in environmental legal education. ENR pioneered the earliest curriculum in public interest environmental law, created the first environmental law clinic in the United States, and, through its students, hosts the oldest and largest public interest environmental law conference of its kind in the world.
ENR’s Interdisciplinary Research Projects and Fellows Program has theme-based projects that draw upon existing faculty strengths and provide synergistic opportunities for promoting student experience, providing service to the community, and bringing intellectual energy to bear on some of today’s most challenging environmental issues.
As part of a research team, ENR’s Research Associates carry out research housed in one or more of the flagship ENR interdisciplinary projects: The Conservation Trust Project; The Energy Law and Policy Project; The Food Resiliency Project; The Global Environmental Democracy Project; The Native Environmental Sovereignty Project; The Oceans, Coasts, and Watersheds Project; and The Sustainable Land Use Project.
This position will work with faculty experts, partners across state universities in Oregon and other universities, government organizations, and other community organizations to provide research, analysis, and solutions to environmental problems in Oregon, the nation, and around the globe.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Law Research Associate reports to the ENR Center Executive Director.
Open research associate positions are limited-duration, funding-contingent, non-teaching research appointments that are full-time, part-time, or short-term, contracts not to exceed one year. There is a possibility of renewal, depending on program needs, funding, and performance.
Minimum Requirements
• JD from an ABA-accredited law school and a record of academic excellence.*
• Demonstrated strong interest and propensity for ENR law scholarship and policy writing.
*In exceptional circumstances and upon approval by the Dean, extensive experience may be considered in lieu of JD.
Professional Competencies
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills and the ability to work successfully with a diverse group of organizations, students, and faculty members.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills with a proven ability to strategize, prioritize, and meet goals and deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to 1) work effectively with students, staff, and faculty from culturally diverse backgrounds and with multiple intersectional identities; and 2) advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the university community.
• Willingness to contribute to new, broad, and uncharted ideas.
• A commitment to the public good.
Preferred Qualifications
• Two years of professional experience.
• Familiarity with the intersection of law, policy, science, and climate change.
• Experience with research, analysis, and writing.
• Proven ability to deliver work products.
• Experience working independently, collaboratively, and collectively.
• Experience in or familiarity with computer spreadsheets, data management, and creating data reports.
• Experience in or familiarity with the use of new and social media in a public relations and/or advocacy context.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.
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