Student Research Assistant: Food, Labor & Community-Based Research
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Job No: 512137
Division/Organization: College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Department: Community & Environmental Sociology
Job Type: UW Student Jobs
Remote Eligbility: Partially Remote
Location: AGRICULTURE HALL
Salary/Wage Range or Lump Sum: $25
Job Categories: Interpersonal Communication, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Teamwork/Collaboration, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nonprofit/Community-Based Organization, Data Analysis, Honoring Context and Culture
Department Overview:
The Department of Community & Environmental Sociology at UW–Madison conducts research and teaching on the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. This position is part of a USDA-NIFA-funded postdoctoral research project based in the department that uses qualitative and community-based research to examine labor and sustainability in small-scale meat processing.
Anticipated Start Date:
10/12/26
Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):
12/17/2026 with possibility to extend into Spring and Summer 2027
Remote Work Eligibility Detail:
Partially Remote
Anticipated Hours Per Week:
Minimum: 8 Maximum: 10
Schedule:
8-10 hours per week flexible around the student's schedule; partially remote; some in-person activities required
Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:
Minimum: $25.00
Number of Positions:
1
Qualifications:
Required: Current UW–Madison student; strong Spanish and English proficiency, including the ability to understand conversational Spanish and work with Spanish-language interview data. Preferred: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student with relevant coursework or experience in sociology, anthropology, environmental studies, geography, Latin American/Latinx studies, human ecology, labor studies, or a related field; experience with qualitative research methodologies; experience with community-based, participatory, or collaborative research; experience working with immigrant, Latinx, rural, agricultural, or worker communities.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :
Strong Spanish and English communication skills; interest in food systems, labor, immigration, agriculture, environmental justice; strong organizational and interpersonal skills; ability to handle sensitive research data and maintain participant confidentiality; interest in community-based and collaborative approaches to research; ability to work both independently and collaboratively; attention to detail when working with qualitative data.
Position Summary/Job Duties:
I am seeking a student research assistant to work directly with me on my USDA-NIFA Postdoctoral Fellowship research examining worker experiences and ethical labor practices in small-scale meat processing in the Upper Midwest. The project sits at the intersection of food systems, labor, immigration, and environmental justice and uses qualitative and community-based research methods, including interviews and participatory workshops with workers and community partners. The research assistant will have the opportunity to work across multiple stages of the research process. Responsibilities may include: - Assisting with qualitative interviews with workers and other research participants - Reviewing and cleaning Spanish- and English-language interview transcripts - Organizing and coding qualitative data - Preparing bilingual research, recruitment, and workshop materials - Assisting with and taking notes during participatory workshops with workers and community partners - Conducting targeted literature reviews - Assisting with project coordination - Depending on experience and interest, contributing to conference presentations, reports, and peer-reviewed publications This position is especially well suited for a student interested in questions around food and labor who wants to deepen their experience with qualitative and community-based research. I am especially excited to work with a student interested in learning across different stages of the research process - from interviews and community engagement to qualitative analysis and writing. For a student interested in developing their own research, there may also be opportunities to build on their work with the project through a senior thesis or capstone project, conference presentation, or publication. The position will begin in Fall 2026, with the possibility of continuing through Spring and Summer 2027.
Physical Demands:
None beyond typical office and computer-based work. Some project activities may involve attending in-person workshops or research activities.
Institutional Statements:
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu
Accommodation Statement:
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
Advertised: September 28, 2026 09:00 AM Central Daylight Time
Applications close: October 05, 2026 11:55 PM Central Daylight Time
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