How to Apply
- Applicants must submit a CV, cover letter, and writing sample to be considered. Please combine all materials into a single document. The cover letter should explain your interest in the position and highlight relevant skills and experience. The writing sample should be no more than 10 pages, single spaced, and should demonstrate strong professional writing skills. Scientific articles and policy-related samples, such as a policy memo, briefing paper, analysis, report, or similar document, are preferred.
- This is a 20-month, full-time, term-limited appointment.
- This position requires working both in-person in Lansing at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and remotely.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ***Do not use AI tools in any part of the application process (drafting your cover letter, answering questions during the interview, etc).*** We are interested in assessing your qualifications without the input of AI assistance.
Job Summary
The Science, Technology and Public Policy (STPP) program at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy has recently launched the Michigan Science, Technology, and Public Policy (MiST) Fellowship program, which embeds fellows in offices in state government in Lansing, Michigan. The aim is to support evidence-based policymaking, while enabling fellows to understand how government works. MiST is currently recruiting for a Civic Science Fellow as part of the Rita Allen Foundation's Civic Science Fellows program. This is a 20-month position, during which time the fellow will work at the Office of Agricultural Science and Research (OASR) at Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) in Lansing and also complete a longer research project in collaboration with faculty and staff at STPP. The fellow is expected to work a hybrid schedule with 2 days in-person per week at MDARD's offices. This position begins in November 2026 and concludes in June 2028 and is fully grant-funded. The Civic Science Fellow will also participate in a nationwide cohort for shared learning, professional growth, and network-building. Fellows gain practical experience, advance meaningful work, and help strengthen the state's civic science capacity.
To facilitate their success STPP and MDARD will provide the fellow training about Michigan state government, the policy process, policy writing instruction, and communicating science and technology to non-scientific audiences. Staff at MDARD will manage the day-to-day work of the fellow during most of the fellowship period and you will report to the Deputy Chief Science Officer, Dr. Marcus Wasilevich.
More about the Ford School of Public Policy and the STPP Program:
The MiST fellowship program is administered by the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program (STPP) at the Ford School of Public Policy, one of the nation's foremost policy schools at one of the world's great public universities. We are a community dedicated to the public good. We inspire and prepare leaders grounded in service, conduct transformational research, and collaborate on evidence-based policymaking to take on our communities' and our world's most pressing challenges. To learn more about the Ford School, read About Us.
Established in 2006, the STPP Program is a research center that is dedicated to advancing the public interest, and specifically social equity and justice, in the development and governance of science and technology through education, research, and community and policy engagement. Our highly interdisciplinary work addresses the ethical, political, social, environmental, health, and equity dimensions of science, technology, and related public policies. This includes a vibrant Community Partnerships Initiative that supports civil society in contributing to public and policy discussions related to science and technology policies, the Technology Assessment Project that analyzes emerging technologies and their implications by drawing lessons from historical analogs, the MiST fellowship that places experts in Michigan state government, a graduate certificate program, and undergraduate programming, among other activities. Our 74 faculty affiliates come from across UM's schools and colleges. We continue to expand STPP to meet the moment, as science and technology become increasingly central to people's daily lives around the world.
More about the Civic Science Fellows program:
The Civic Science Fellows program is building a network of leaders committed to ensuring that all people shape and benefit from science, technology, and innovation. The program brings together scientists, scholars, community leaders, journalists, educators, media producers, public-interest organizations, and funders to seed new collaborations between science, diverse communities, and civil society. Fellows and partners engage as part of a network of learning and action that spans organizations, disciplines, and communities-a growing effort to catalyze civic science culture change. Fellows may co-design projects that build bridges across science, policy, and communities, contributing new knowledge and advancing equity, inclusion, and public engagement.
More about the MDARD Office of Agricultural Science and Research (OASR):
The Office of Agricultural Science and Research supports the scientific needs of MDARD by providing research expertise and facilitating evidence-based adaptive management with the goal of improving environmental outcomes and agricultural resiliency throughout the state. Current OASR focus areas include environmental monitoring projects, assessing water quality and quantity, developing recommendations for climate resiliency and soil sustainability, and assessing human and animal health associated with emerging contaminants, such as PFAS. OASR actively interacts with multiple local, state, and federal governmental partners, educational facilities, commodity organizations, and Michigan residents. Visit here for more information: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/ag-science.
Responsibilities*
Research 45%
- Conduct literature and landscape reviews on science and technology related topics that are central to MDARD's policy goals as they relate to the OASR (e.g., emerging contaminants in soil and agriculture, water quality, environmental monitoring PFAS contamination, invasive species, one health).
- Track key bills, hearings, new developments at Congress, federal agencies and other states on these issues
- Engage in online research using state government and university library databases and conduct in-person information gathering as needed.
- Work with team members at MDARD and STPP to collaborate on shared research and policy projects
Communications and Findings Dissemination 20%
- Draft memos, presentations, briefs, strategies, and reports intended for a non-technical audience
- Assist in creating and maintaining print and web-based resources
- Present findings to supervisors and staff
Agency and government relations 10%
- Respond to queries on science and technology policy
- Determine research needs and priorities for the questions posed and communicate them accordingly
- Practice confidentiality and record retention in work communications.
- Participate in inter-agency efforts, as needed, such as the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), the Michigan Healthy Climate Plan, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, the Western Lake Erie Basin Program, or other state-wide initiatives yet to be organized.
Network Building 25%
- Travel and present at meetings, seminars, and conferences as needed, such as the AAAS annual meeting and partner convenings with other Civic Science fellows. OASR staff also frequent a variety of regional and national meetings such as the Soil and Water Conservation Society annual meeting, the CANVAS conference, Underground Innovations, the Michigan Western Lake Erie Basin conference, etc.
- Participate in the wider intellectual life of the host institutions, including seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary research discussions in science policy and use of research evidence.
- Participate in MDARD organized events, such as relevant training opportunities, listening sessions, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
Required Qualifications*
- Fellows must hold a terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in natural or physical sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, environmental science, medicine, toxicology, applied physics,), social sciences (e.g., economics, education, sociology, risk analysis and decision science), engineering, environmental studies, public health, statistics/data science, economics, or a related discipline. PhD must be conferred before time of appointment.
- Experience synthesizing scientific and/or technical topics for specialist and non-specialist audiences through the use of effective writing, presentation, or public speaking skills.
- Ability to prioritize efforts across multiple simultaneous projects with different stakeholders and to manage time efficiently.
- Ability to gather, interpret, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data relevant to community engaged research.
- Experience developing and utilizing frameworks for evaluating research, partnership, and policy impacts.
Desired Qualifications*
Advanced knowledge of and / or experience in one or more or these areas is preferred:
- Agroecosystem science
- Toxicology and risk assessments
- Plant ecology and health
- Animal physiology and health
- One health
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Paid parental leave
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.-
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.