Position Summary

The Native American Institute (NAI) seeks an organized and detail-oriented candidate to assist with the planning and conducting of research initiatives and projects to serve the needs of Native American communities and build lasting and reciprocal relationships between MSU and Tribal communities throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes Region. Research specialist’s responsibilities include collecting, sorting, and analyzing data, developing and executing research projects, and presenting the findings to a wide range of audiences. Successful candidates should understand and be able to apply research principles, concepts, practices, and methods and possess a strong analytical, qualitative, and quantitative research skills with excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

The ideal candidate will document and assess current MSU research and outreach with Native American Tribes, and work with the Native American Institute and its partner across campus, including American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS); Educating Anishnaabe: Giving, Learning, and Empowering (EAGLE); and the Indigenous Law and Policy Center (ILPC) to develop new initiatives and research projects that serve the complex needs of Tribal governments and communities. This will include developing training and informational resources for MSU faculty, staff and students interested in working in partnership with American Indian communities, as well as exploration of policy updates necessary to strengthen and further relationships with our Tribal Nations in a mutual beneficial way.

• Develop and maintain a process to document, assess, and track current initiatives and projects at MSU involving Tribal communities
• Engage with NAI, AIIS and EAGLE to coordinate new initiatives, projects and policy development or updates
• Develop and coordinate training and resources for MSU faculty, staff and students interested in undertaking outreach and research with Native American communities
• Support engagement and outreach efforts of NAI as needed
• Develop and maintain relationships with Tribal communities and MSU faculty and staff engaged with Tribal communities
• Develop and coordinate capacity building opportunities for Tribal communities related to research, evaluation, and engagement with MSU faculty, staff, and students
• Engage in research and/or evaluation efforts that serve Tribal community needs in alignment with the CARE Principles of Indigenous Data Governance
• Pursue funding opportunities that further the missions of NAI and engagement with Tribal communities
• Deliver presentations to MSU faculty, staff and students, Tribal communities, and other potential partners
• Collaborate with NAI to raise awareness of best practices in working with Native American communities, and tenets of Tribal sovereignty
• Engage with and mentor students interested in outreach and research with Native American communities
• Ability to working productively with a team serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently in an office environment without daily supervision and/or coaching.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Other -PhD in Social Science or other relevant field of study

Minimum Requirements

• PhD in Social Science (Anthropology, Sociology, or other relevant field).
• Demonstrated knowledge of or experience working with Tribal governments and communities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook for mail/calendaring, distance technology, etc.) for day-to-day work and educational program delivery, record keeping, reporting, team-based communications, and overall management.
• Working knowledge of or understanding of Traditional Ways of Knowing (TK)

Desired Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in grant writing and grants management
• 2+ years of project management experience
• 3+ years of experience working with and/or for Native American Tribes/Communities

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter, CV and list of 3 references 

Review of Applications Begins On

03/28/2025

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.