Job Type: Student / postdoc
Salary Details: The current stipend for this opportunity is $75,000 – $85,000 per year plus $5,600 to defray the cost of health insurance.
Deadline: Dec 08, 2023
USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the Eastern Ecological Science Center located in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Remote participation 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.
Research Project: The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center is searching for a highly motivated quantitative researcher or statistician interested in participating in a suite of ecology, spatial modeling, and brook trout ecology research. This opportunity will consist primarily of developing and applying analytical approaches to improve our understanding of the status and trends of brook trout populations in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. For instance, ongoing projects include hierarchical model development to evaluate the relative support for candidate mechanisms controlling brook trout abundance, including temporal changes in flow, temperature, and acid deposition. There would be opportunities to participate in field research if desired, though this is not a requirement of the appointment. Additional information can be found at https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/nathaniel-hitt and https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/benjamin-h-letcher.
Learning Objectives: Through this research opportunity, the selected participant will improve upon their skills in quantitative ecology, data visualization and management.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Nathaniel Hitt (nhitt@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 2023. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years but may be extended 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 monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The current stipend for this opportunity is $75,000 – $85,000 per year plus $5,600 to defray the cost of health insurance.
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.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields listed or be currently pursuing the degree with completion before the appointment start date.
Preferred Skills:
- Ability to assist in experimental design and in guiding selection of analytical methods.
- Knowledge of R is critical, with experience in ArcGIS or other GIS platforms being beneficial.
- Expertise/experience with Bayesian population models
- Knowledge of ecological principals, with a focus on freshwater fish populations and communities.
HOW TO APPLY
https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/DOI-USGS-2023-12