Researcher 2 - Food Insecurity, Community-Engaged Design, and Design Research Methods

This role is a 50% time role. The researcher will support an MAES-funded research project focused on improving food insecurity through community-engaged design practices, systems thinking approaches, and design research methods. The project examines how design-led research, interview training, co-design, and emerging technologies can support early-stage understanding of complex social challenges and inform more effective community-centered solutions.

The researcher will work closely with the principal investigator and research team to support qualitative data collection, analysis, literature synthesis, dissemination, and project coordination. This role is intended for a researcher with expertise in human-centered design, qualitative research methods, design interviewing, community-engaged research, and scholarly writing.

Primary Responsibilities

• Qualitative Fieldwork & Interviewing (25%)
  • Conduct and support semi-structured interviews, practice interviews, field interviews, and other qualitative data collection activities with community members, stakeholders, students, and/or participants.
  • Apply expert interviewing strategies, including interview protocol development, active listening, follow-up questioning, storytelling prompts, rapport-building, and ethical engagement with participants.
• Participatory Research & Co-Design Facilitation (20%)
  • Support the planning and execution of community-engaged research activities related to food insecurity, rural and community development, and human-centered design.
  • Assist with the design, facilitation, and documentation of co-design sessions, systems-thinking workshops, and other participatory research activities.
• Qualitative Data Analysis & Synthesis (20%)
  • Contribute to qualitative data analysis, including thematic analysis, coding, memo-writing, synthesis of needs and insights, and interpretation of interview and workshop data.
  • Use qualitative analysis tools, such as NVivo or similar software, to organize, code, and analyze research data.
  • Support the development and analysis of systems-thinking and design artifacts, such as stakeholder maps, service model maps, journey maps, influence diagrams, and synthesis frameworks.
• Scholarly Research, Dissemination & Technology Exploration (15%)
  • Assist with literature reviews related to food insecurity, community-engaged design, human-centered design, design education, design interviewing, systems thinking, co-design, and technology-supported design research.
  • Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, research reports, presentations, and grant-related materials.
  • Support research related to how technology, including AI-supported feedback or coaching tools, may be leveraged in early-stage design research and design education.
• Project Coordination & Administrative Support (10%)
  • Help coordinate research logistics, including participant communication, scheduling, consent materials, data management, meeting documentation, and project timelines.
  • Participate in regular research team meetings and contribute to the intellectual development of the project.
• Mentorship & Capacity Building (10%)
  • Support training and coaching related to design interviewing practices, including identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement in novice interviewers.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least two years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience to equal at least six years.
• The ideal candidate will bring expertise in several of the following areas:
• Graduate-level training or equivalent experience in design, human-centered design, product design, engineering design, human factors, design education, qualitative research, public health, community development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with qualitative data collection, including semi-structured interviews, stakeholder interviews, field interviews, or community-based research.
• Strong knowledge of qualitative analysis methods, such as thematic analysis, content analysis, grounded theory-informed coding, abductive analysis, or mixed-methods synthesis.
• Experience developing interview protocols, conducting interviews, and using expert interviewing practices to elicit rich, detailed, and story-based participant responses.
• Experience writing literature reviews, research summaries, scholarly manuscripts, conference papers, or other peer-reviewed publications.
• Familiarity with co-design, participatory design, community-engaged research, or human-centered design practices.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with community partners, participants, students, and interdisciplinary research teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple research activities at different stages.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing collaboratively to a larger research team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with design education, design research methods, or teaching/training novice designers or community participants.
• Experience with community-engaged projects related to food insecurity, health equity, rural development, social innovation, public interest design, or complex social challenges.
• Experience facilitating co-design sessions, workshops, participatory activities, or design research trainings.
• Familiarity with systems-thinking approaches, including service mapping, stakeholder mapping, systems mapping, or influence diagramming.
• Experience using NVivo, Dedoose, MAXQDA, ATLAS.ti, or similar qualitative analysis software.
• Experience analyzing interview quality, coaching interviewers, or developing rubrics/metrics for evaluating qualitative interviewing practices.
• Interest in how emerging technologies, including AI-based tools, can support early-stage design research, interview training, design education, or qualitative feedback processes.
• Experience preparing research for academic dissemination through journal manuscripts, peer-reviewed conference papers, presentations, or grant proposals.
• Experience working across disciplines, especially at the intersection of design, engineering, food systems, community development, education, and/or technology.

Pay Range: $30/hr; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 50% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.