USGS National Climate Change Refugia Conservation Mapping Fellowship

Organization
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
Reference Code
USGS-2022-04
How to Apply

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A complete application package 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.  Selected candidate must provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start.  Click Here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
  • A current resume/CV
  • 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.

Application Deadline
4/14/2022 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center which is located at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The selected Fellow will work with a team that is dispersed at multiple institutions across the Northeast region; remote appointments will be considered.

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.

The Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NE CASC) is part of a network of nine regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) located across the U.S. Together, the National and Regional CASCs conduct research to understand how changing climate conditions impact fish, wildlife, ecosystems, and communities. Through this work, we aim to provide on-the-ground natural resource managers and other stakeholders with scientific information and decision-making tools to help them understand, respond, and adapt to these changes.

Research ProjectThe project objective is to produce a national refugia map and an online tool to make maps for priority species available to natural resource manager partners.

Appointment activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Convene partners in remote conferencing or in-person meetings
  • Identify priority resources for refugia mapping
  • Model climate change refugia
  • Synthesize national refugia datasets
  • Assist with the development of a mapping tool for partners to use for incorporating refugia conservation into climate adaptation planning
  • Present results to partners at local and regional meetings
  • Present results to the scientific community at a national scientific conference

Learning ObjectivesThrough this fellowship, the participant will gain training and experience in climate science and climate adaptation strategies. The participant will also engage with federal and state partners to gain valuable experience being a part of a partnership-driven program within a federal science agency.

MentorThe mentor for this opportunity is Toni Lyn Morelli (tmorelli@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 2022.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe appointment will initially be for one year, but may be extended for two additional years upon recommendation of USGS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of ParticipationThe appointment is full-time (40 hours per week).

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Medical, dental, prescription, and vision benefits will be provided as well as a travel budget to present at meetings.

Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE InformationThis 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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have already received a Doctoral degree in one of the fields listed in the eligibility requirements section.

Preferred skills/experience:

  • Strong background in natural resources, conservation, ecology or other related discipline
  • Experience writing scientific reports or papers
  • Experience working with large qualitative or quantitative datasets
  • Experience conducting literatures searches using search engines such as Web of Science and Google Scholar
  • Strong organizational and written communication skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to work as part of a collaborative team
  • Ability to use spreadsheets, statistical coding skills in programs such as R, and knowledge of spatial data analyses
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (8 )