Research Assistant

Monday - Friday, flexible hours

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

The Department of Geography and Environment at Carolina brings a unique perspective to the study of some of our world's most pressing issues. Geographers integrate physical science, social science, and the humanities to study social and environmental patterns and processes on the earth's surface. From analyzing regional dynamics of climate change, hydrology, vegetation, and biodiversity to investigating new global structures of work and labor, religion, public health, our faculty and students conduct cutting-edge research at one of the top geography departments in the country.

The Southeast Asia Research Assistant will support interdisciplinary research on Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental justice, and conservation governance in Southeast Asia, with a focus on the Penan of Borneo and other Indigenous communities across the region. The Southeast Asia Research Assistant will play a key role in organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data (e.g., interview transcripts, focus group notes), conducting literature reviews, supporting collaborative writing and reporting, and coordinating with regional partners and collaborators. This work directly supports the documentation and elevation of Indigenous voices in environmental decision-making, as well as the ethical integration of local knowledge into policy and conservation frameworks. Specific duties are: Lead and contribute to the drafting and revision of peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, research reports, and other scholarly publications related to Indigenous knowledge, environmental justice, and conservation in Southeast Asia; assist in writing grant proposals and practitioner-facing outputs that translate research findings for diverse audiences, including community collaborators and NGO partners, and indigenous communities; conduct literature reviews and synthesize scholarly and grey literature relevant to project themes; organize and analyze qualitative data (e.g., interviews, focus groups), and assist in the development of conceptual frameworks; coordinate communications with Southeast Asian partners, collaborators, and Indigenous community representatives; support preparation of presentations, workshop materials, and content for a community-informed digital museum platform; maintain organized research files, data documentation, and version control for manuscripts and collaborative writing projects and participate in bi-weekly lab group meetings with graduate students and post-doctoral researchers.

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Excellent writing and communication skills; previous experience working with partners and stakeholders on research; proven organizational skills; ability to work independently while adhering to tight timelines; experience in qualitative research methods

Exposure to course work in geography or an environmental or social sciences field; regional expertise in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia; proficiency or working knowledge of relevant languages, such as Malay, Bahasa Indonesia, or Indigenous languages of Borneo; familiarity with Indigenous rights, conservation governance, or environmental policy frameworks in the region; experience with digital heritage, participatory mapping, or community-led documentation projects; demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and in cross-cultural, collaborative research environments.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.