Social Science Analysis of Disaster Resilience and the Environment

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-ORD-NHSRC-2019-01
How to 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. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. 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

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

If you have questions, send an email to EPArpp@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

Application Deadline
4/30/2020 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

A research opportunity is available with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) located in Washington, DC.

The Office of Research and Development's Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response has a Homeland Security and Materials Management Division. Within that division, the Systems Tools and Materials Management Branch (STMMB) conducts environmental social science research on community resilience to natural and anthropogenic disasters, including homeland security incidents. It investigates how social factors affect environmental risks & environmental work during disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. “Social factors” include stakeholder relationships, culture, risk perception, economics, and power dynamics, among others. Areas of inquiry are: social acceptance of disaster waste and debris, including hazardous waste management decision contexts; measures of environmental and community resilience; risk communication with households and families about safely remediating flooded homes; and environmental cleanup processes and outcomes, including remediation, removal, and decontamination. STMMB produces scientific manuscripts, reports, tools, databases, and models, which are intended to advance scientific thinking and help solve environmental problems related to disasters and homeland security incidents.

This appointment will enhance the research participant’s ability to conduct applied social science research to help solve environmental problems. Under the guidance of the mentor, the research participant may participate in the following activities:

  • Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team
  • Contributing to the development and application of social theories about resilience, coupled human-natural systems, homeland security, and disasters through the use of social science research methods (e.g. comparative case studies, literature reviews, modeling, GIS, indicators, interviews, secondary data, data synthesis, focus groups, surveys)
  • Using human-centered design approaches to assess whether products are applicable to disaster decision contexts
  • Communicating environmental social science to diverse audiences (e.g. through articles, reports, conference posters and presentations)
  • Exposure to emerging research areas at the intersection of community resilience, disasters and homeland security, and environmental aspects of disasters (e.g. waste management, indoor air quality, remediation)

The research participant will have the latitude to exercise independent initiative, innovation, and judgment in their research. The research participant will collaborate with EPA research partners in other federal agencies, state and local government, academia, and community stakeholders. The research participant may have the opportunity to attend technical meetings and workshops to present research.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2, 2020

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 EPA. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. A travel/training allowance will also be provided. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at EPA in the Washington, DC, area. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA. OPM can complete a background investigation only for individuals, including non-US Citizens, who have resided in the US for the past three years.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by the appointment start date. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:

  • Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative social science research methods including design, sampling, field work, data management, and data analysis
  • Experience with disaster -affected populations, communities, or organizations
  • Experience collaborating with a variety of stakeholders to design research, share results via oral and written communication, and/or develop applied research products based on social scientific findings
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 1/2/2020 11:59:00 PM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (2 )
    • Other Non-Science & Engineering (2 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (27 )
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