To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations. At least one recommendation must be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

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*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), United States Geological Survey (USGS), within the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center located in Hilo, Hawaii, with a geographic scope from the Hawaiian Island archipelago to the US-affiliated islands of the South Pacific (USAPI). The USAPI include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI); the unincorporated territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Pacific Remote Islands (PRI); and the Freely Associated States (FAS): The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau. Ideally the selected participants will be located in the region, though consideration for remote participation is possible.

The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.

Research Project: Science synthesis and evaluation of local science-needs necessary for risk reduction and informed decision making in resilience is central to the PICASC mission of delivering actionable science to natural and cultural resource managers. The candidate will become part of an adaptation-oriented team, which allows many opportunities to collaborate internally and with external partners. They will learn from interacting directly with regional partners, with an emphasis on growing local, interagency, and interagency relations in and related to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and other USAPI.  

Project goals include:

1. Development of network understanding around local food security at the nexus of OneHealth;
2. Mapping/synthesizing OneHealth interactions that occur across the islands, with an emphasis on food security;
3. Explore technologies that could be used to promote identified needs in food security.

Project activities will include developing an assessment of potential opportunities to support intra-, inter-agency, and local risk-reduction and adaptation in the region, fostering communication between local communities (e.g. science and research communities, local communities, special interest groups, governmental communities, communities of practice, traditional knowledge holding communities, etc.), and engaging in outreach. Activities may include development of and participation in meetings at all levels of decision making, working with communications specialists to develop media/outreach materials and other communications products.

Learning Objectives: Through this fellowship, the participant will have the opportunity to further science diplomacy primarily within the COFA context. These project activities will broaden the reach of adaptation science information interpretation, dissemination, and exchange. The appointment will provide the candidate with opportunities to learn more about Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science and assess needs, catalogue challenges, and identify opportunities for collaboration within and between communities, scientists, stewards of natural and cultural resources, and relevant interagency. While the geographic focus will be RMI, including the Marshallese diaspora, the topical area emphasized will be OneHealth, with the opportunity for the candidate to refine their knowledge of the intersections between Wildlife and Human Health, Food Security, and Biodiversity as related to the needs of the natural resource management community and the potential roles for current and emerging technologies. The candidate will engage with federal and non-federal partners, and gain valuable experience being a part of a partnership-driven program within a federal science agency.  

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Mari-Vaughn Johnson (mvjohnson@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 2025.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will be for 6 months.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $7,700-$10,800 per month plus insurance.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions: If you have questions about the application process please email USGS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The candidate should have received or be pursuing an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in any science field.

Preferred skills:

• Experience with communities in the Marshall Islands 
• Experience with formal and informal meetings with natural and cultural resource managers 
• Familiarity with OneHealth.
• Familiarity with the Marshallese diaspora.
• Familiarity with engagement with diverse jurisdictional leaders.
• Familiarity with atoll systems and the Pacific Islands 
• Familiarity with the topic of climate change and its effects on health, wildlife, and ecosystems 
• Self-starter with strong attention to detail and organizational skills 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
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