Blum Center Graduate Student Researcher

Unit: Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance
 
Duration of Appointment: The Graduate Student Researcher appointment is for winter and spring quarters of 2023. The work time will be 20 hours per week.

Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance. UCSC’s Blum Center focuses on four crucial aspects of poverty alleviation: fiscal equity, housing security, food access, and women and families. Our community-engaged research brings together students, faculty, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders who share an interest in advancing economic justice. To learn more about us, please visit https://blumcenter.ucsc.edu 

Job Description: The GSR will work closely with Blum Center Director and Associate Director, GSRs, staff and a team of undergraduate researchers on two studies. One study, which is being conducted in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, focuses on the short- and long-term benefits of local Habitat for Humanity homeownership.The second study, conducted in partnership with Ventures and Monarch Services, involves assessing a guaranteed income pilot for low-income women and mothers. Both studies involve interviewing program participants in Spanish about their experiences, working with a team of undergraduate researchers, and assisting with data analysis. Findings gained from the interviews will be used to create programming, events, and reports.

Competencies and Qualifications

●     Interest in community engaged research, poverty alleviation, housing security, and guaranteed income

●     Fluent Spanish language speaker

●     Expertise in qualitative research methods

●     Familiarity with qualitative data analysis software

●     Expertise in conducting interviews

●      Experience working with undergraduate research assistants

●      Ability to work collaboratively with undergraduate researchers and facilitate teamwork

●      Strong organizational and logistical planning skills

●      Excellent writing skills

●      Interest multiple modes of communicating research findings


Application Process: A one-page letter of application describing your qualifications and your professional interests, and a current CV should be submitted electronically to Lisa Nishioka at blumcenter@ucsc.edu by December 1, 2022. All applications will be reviewed by the Blum Center’s core team, and finalists will be interviewed. Interviewed finalists will be required to receive written endorsement from their advisor, certifying that the advisor supports their candidacy for the position.