USGS Fellowship on Increasing the Impact of Co-Produced Climate Science Among Diverse Pacific Practitioners and ASEAN Nations

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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.

*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) at the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PICASC) located in Hilo, Hawaii. The selected candidate can report remotely, however, preference will be given to candidates located on the Pacific Islands including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republics of the Marshall Islands and Palau, and the Territories of American Samoa and Guam.

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 USGS Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PICASC) supports climate adaptation-focused projects that develop science- and equivalent knowledge-based products intended for use in decision making by practitioners, managers, policy-makers, etc. in five Science Priority Topical Areas: 1. Drought in the Pacific Islands; 2. Coastal Adaptation and Planning; 3. Forest Conservation in a Changing Environment; 4. Core Questions for Resource Managers; and 5. Adaptation and Survival in Low Lying Islands and Atolls. 

Research Project: The selected individual will contribute to two ongoing, related efforts. 

1. The individual will develop an assessment of the impacts of PICASC’s research portfolio and approach to scientific/community engagement in supporting science- and equivalent knowledge-based decision making for climate-change adaptive management of natural and cultural resources. The selected individual will identify effective efforts and develop guidance documentation, as well as outreach products to increase breadth and depth of PICASC’s climate science adaptation impacts. 
   1. To identify factors important to successful adoption of co-produced science outcomes, the individual will actively engage with the practitioners who originally partnered with PICASC supported PIs to determine the impact of the co-produced research process and products on their management decision making.  
       
2. The selected individual will contribute to development of an ASEAN based Climate Adaptation Science Center. Collaborating with scientists from the National CASC and PICASC, the selected individual will strengthen the structure and development of the ASEAN-CASC.  
   1. The individual will actively engage with climate change experts and natural resource practitioners across the region to collaborate in development of scope, vision, and capacity for the ASEAN-CASC. 
   2. The individual will actively build relationships across the ASEAN-PI CASCs, with engagement with NCASC.  

In particular, PICASC hopes to broaden the impact of our work via engagement with diverse Pacific Islanders and ASEAN peoples, including indigenous, Native Hawaiian, and other marginalized or traditionally under-represented community groups and locations across the region. The selected individual will contribute to increasing the impact of PICASC supported science and equivalent knowledge on management decisions enabling wildlife, ecosystems, and people to adapt to a changing climate.  

Learning Objectives: The primary objectives are to: 

1. Develop syntheses-based guiding documents intended to increase the impact of co-produced science- and equivalent knowledge-based processes and products on climate change adaptation management of natural and cultural resources. Includes determining outstanding challenges and good practices associated with engagement efforts, co-production, and use of decision support tools and comparable science- and equivalent knowledge-based products; 
2. Engage across the region to determine how climate adaptation needs of indigenous groups, historically marginalized communities, and underserved communities and locations across the Pacific are being and or could be better met regarding adaptation of natural and cultural resource management. 
3. Develop a compendium of ongoing climate change adaptation initiatives at the national and subnational levels within the ASEAN nations; develop a report on the current state of climate change adaptation knowledge across the region.  
4. Engage with managers, researchers, policy makers, and other relevant community members to inform development of ASEAN CASC.
5. Engage across researcher, manager, and community groups to build a stronger ASEAN CASC network and community that engages effectively with PICASC.  

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: Fall 2022.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be extended for up to four more years upon recommendation of USGS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a stipend ranging from $56,000-$80,000 per year based on education and experience.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. 

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 qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields listed in the eligibility requirements section. Degree must have been received within the last ten years.

Ideal candidate is self-motivated and able to function independently and as part of a team.

Strong and sustained communications skills are essential. 

Preferred Experience With:

• Climate Change Adaptation Science, including translation and communication of climate concepts to diverse audiences. 
• Pacific Islander and ASEAN cultures, governance, heritage, and history 
• Co-management and multi-jurisdictional management of natural and cultural resources 
• Identifying barriers to communication, access to knowledge, and ability to build relationships and transfer knowledge across communities 
• Developing and conducting structured interviews and or listening sessions 
• Management and analysis of large data sets to determine correlations, trends, metrics of success, etc. 
• Analysis/synthesis of research outcomes and communication value, especially in the context of various value systems.   
• Developing relationships with diverse groups, including resource managers, community leaders, scientists, schools, and other co-users of climate science and equivalent knowledge. 
• Interpreting, collecting, analyzing, synthesizing, and communicating science and equivalent knowledge. 

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 120 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).