Full job description
RESEARCH ASSISTANT (POSTBACCALAUREATE RESEARCHER)
Position: Research Assistant (Postbaccalaureate Researcher)
Location: Atlanta, GA
Start date: September 2025 (2-Year term)
Salary: $50,000 – $52,000
Benefits: Paid vacation; Health, Dental, and Vision insurance; 401k plan
Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted by 08/08/2025
Review of applications begins immediately.
The CSAW Team
Uncover solutions with us
The Community Soil Air Water (CSAW) learning ecosystem aims to integrate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles and programming with community collaborations to solve socio-environmental problems. Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the team is a collaboration between the Department of Geosciences at Georgia State University, Atlanta-based community organizations (Environmental Community Action, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance), and local universities (Emory University, Spelman College, University of Georgia). Join us as we learn from, contribute to, and find solutions with communities facing fundamental environmental challenges.
Our team is building an equitable, transparent model of community-driven collaboration and research. We are a cross-functional team focused on assessing and addressing critical community needs in environmental challenges. We’re looking for postbaccalaureate researchers (postbacs) to strengthen existing collaborations, establish new ones, share our methods with community members, and expand the CSAW learning ecosystem model to other communities, universities, and institutions.
This job posting is for applicants applying to West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA-ONLINE.ORG)
What you’ll do
Manage community science activities
- Work alongside community partners managing engagement and outreach programs
- Train community members on community science tools and procedures
- Build environmental education programming for all ages
Develop community-based programming
- Foster partnerships with community members and partners to support programs and initiatives
- Continue education by attending professional development courses and JEDI-informed workshops
- Assist in developing graduate-level course on community-based research practices
Engage community stakeholders
- Contribute to strategic decision-making on CSAW direction
- Assist in developing community resources including climate resiliency plans
- Participate in grassroots advocacy and community organizing
Additional expectations of the position:
- Occasional evening and weekend availability required to accommodate community partner projects
How you’ll grow
The CSAW team values shared learning to strengthen our team. We want you to continue furthering yourself and developing your skills while with us. As a fellow, you’ll receive thoughtful guidance to help you transition to PhD programs and other professional opportunities as you conduct meaningful research. In addition, you can expect to:
- Receive career-empowering, community-engaged research training
- Work closely in a multi-career stage environment for amplified, mutual learning
- Build rich mentoring networks within and outside academia
- Feel safe in an inclusive environment rooted in anti-racist trainings and practices
- Share research findings through community-based events, state conferences, and national conferences
We value interdisciplinary perspectives. We encourage you to apply if you’re excited about this role, but unsure if your experience perfectly aligns with what’s outlined in the job description.
You’re someone with
- Availability for 40 hrs/wk with 35 hrs dedicated to collaborating with community organizations on environmental research and 5 hrs/wk dedicated to the CSAW cohort, including training, career networking, and cohort building
- Bachelor’s degree
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially with public-facing events and documents
- Capacity to empathize with members from diverse situations and cultural identities
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
How to apply
Submit a resume and cover letter to info@wawa-online.org by August 8, 2025.
We will be reviewing applications and reaching out on a rolling basis.
Environmental Community Action, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, and Georgia State University are Equal Opportunity Employers and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class. We encourage applications from women, minorities, and individuals from under-represented groups in the geosciences.
West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA)
The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) is a community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life within the West Atlanta Watershed by protecting, preserving and restoring our community’s natural resources. We believe that a healthy environment equals a healthy community, our overall efforts are focused on growing a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more sustainable West Atlanta. WAWA represents African American neighborhoods in Northwest and Southwest Atlanta that are most inundated with environmental stressors, but are least represented at environmental decision-making tables.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 – $52,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Evening shift
- Weekends as needed
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Atlanta, GA 30310
