OIKI Graduate Research Assistant

Title: Graduate Research Assistant 

Position Number: 0000GA11

Hiring Unit: VP Research and Innovation/Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation

Location: Manoa Campus – Sherman Laboratory

Date Posted: September 3, 2024 (Continuous Recruitment)

Monthly Type: 11 Months

Salary: Pay Level Step 13

Full Time/Part Time: Part Time; 0.50 FTE (20 hours per week)

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary 

Duration: One year with intent to extend based on performance and availability of funds, up to 60 months.

Position Summary :

This position will be supported and mentored by the Director of the Office for Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation (OIKI), Kamuela Enos. The role offers access to a robust network of engagement and support within the Hawai‘i Climate-Smart Partnership (HiCSC). This will include introductions and training in appropriate protocols and opportunities for professional development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of the Indigenous Genealogy component of the climate-smart multimetric, addressing the question, How is Indigenous knowledge reflected within a land practice? Indigenous Genealogy refers to the ancestral ties or connection to the traditional land stewardship practices that can be identified and traced to family genealogy, moku and relationship to place.

• Assist in developing the Community (Indigenous) Wellbeing component of the climate-smart multimetric addressing the question, What is the value of practice beyond financial benefit? Using the Makahiki Framework Metrics as a baseline to address this question.

• Conduct literature reviews, archival research, interpret Olelo Hawaii records, interviews with agricultural producers who identify as Indigenous and have ties to ancestral genealogy and place.

• Co-develop and adhere to processes for community-research engagement, UH requirements Internal Review Board, data privacy and sovereignty.

• Co-development of metrics reflecting Indigenous and/or place-based knowledge within land practices and contribute to the co-development of collaborative monitoring and interpretation of data from Indigenous Genealogy and community wellbeing perspective. 

• Participate in relevant project circle meetings to maintain connection to breadth and depth across the project as it relates to the multimetric. Participate in circle operations possibly including meeting recording, facilitation, delegate representation within the sociocracy organizational structure. 

• Communicate and collaborate with other groups engaging with producers and practitioners according to the Partnership Community-Research Engagement Plan. 

• Report progress to the relevant parent circle to integrate indicators into the climate-smart multimetric.

• Prepare scholarly materials for professional engagement within the state, national, and international community, for example, peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, book chapters, etc.  

• Other appropriate duties as requested as part of the Partnership or member of a relevant research group.

• Other Duties As Assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or University in Hawaiian Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Social Sciences, Ethnobotany, Agriculture, Agroecology, Soil Science, Natural Sciences, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources, or related field.

• Acceptance into a UH Manoa graduate degree program.

• Considerable comprehension of Native Hawaiian indigenous knowledge. Familiarity with genealogy practices and the cultural significance of moku and relationships to place.

• Considerable knowledge of the agricultural community in the State of Hawai‘i and Indigenous agricultural practices.

• Knowledge of implementation of standard operating procedures for internal and external place-based equity implementation that focuses on cultural continuity, ecological conservation, economic development, and educational attainment. 

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Hawaiian Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Social Sciences, Ethnobotany, Agriculture, Agroecology, Soil Science, Natural Sciences, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources, or related field.

• Experience with appropriate processes and protocols for relationship building with local producer/agriculture communities and indigenous practitioners in Hawai‘i

• Experience and foundational understanding of Indigenous genealogy, including ancestral ties, traditional land stewardship practices, and connection to place in Hawai‘i.

• Background in conducting literature reviews, interpret ‘?lelo Hawai‘i records,  archival research, and qualitative data collection through interviews and oral histories.

• Experience with research methods relevant to Indigenous studies, including community-based participatory research (CBPR). 

• Ability to analyze and synthesize information from various sources to develop and co-create meaningful metrics that reflect Indigenous and/or place-based knowledge within land practices.

• Experience in developing and/or following ethical research processes, including community-research engagement and adhering to University of Hawaii (UH) Internal Review Board (IRB) requirements, data privacy, and data sovereignty principles.

• Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration and communication across diverse groups engaged in community-based research and practice.

• Experience in co-developing metrics and monitoring systems collaboratively with Indigenous communities and local stakeholders.

• Deep cultural competency and sensitivity when working with Indigenous communities, including a strong commitment to respecting and upholding Indigenous sovereignty, traditions, and knowledge systems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and effectively to both academic and community audiences.

• Proven track record of preparing scholarly materials, including peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, and other professional engagement outputs at the state, national, or international level.

• Ability to work within a sociocratic organizational structure, including facilitation, meeting coordination, and delegation within collaborative projects.

• Project management and problem solving skills. 

Post Offer/Employment Condition: Must be able to complete the UH Laboratory Safety training within twelve (12) months from date of hire.

To Apply:

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.  For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/eeo-coordinators/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request:  The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly.  Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/