Environmental Social Science of Coastal Water Quality & Support for Solution-Based Research
A complete application consists of:
- An application
- Transcripts – 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.
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Atlantic Ecology Division (AED) in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
The research participant will have the opportunity to be involved in research investigating mechanisms to control nitrogen pollution on Cape Cod. The research will include social science evaluation of the research effort as well as social science research related to the implementation of alternative technologies for nitrogen reduction to coastal waters. This includes investigation of stakeholder engagement mechanisms and the recreational benefits of water quality improvements as well as barriers and opportunities for the incorporation of alternative pollution mitigation technologies.
With guidance from their mentor, the research participant will have the opportunity to be involved in developing, managing, and analyzing spatial datasets; engaging stakeholders and analyzing and reporting on participatory research efforts; collaborating on scientific writing or presentations; and implementing case study evaluations of alternative nutrient mitigation technology implementation. This is an opportunity to learn about the social and ecological impacts of nutrient pollution and to apply data from multiple disciplines for improving decision making.
The research participant will have the opportunity to learn through interactions with individuals and teams involved with other cross-cutting human/environment projects at AED and other EPA divisions. With guidance from the mentor, the research participant will have latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment in the research commensurate with the level of training. The research participant will have the opportunity to collaborate with EPA Regions, researchers, states, and local stakeholders to improve EPA's abilities in generating and translating decision-relevant social and ecological data to end-users.
The research participant will have the opportunity to attend research team meetings and be involved in all aspects of the research. This may include active engagement with stakeholders regarding applications of the research. There will be opportunities to develop and conduct projects within the overall research program, and to publish and present research.
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. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at EPA in the Narragansett, Rhode Island, area. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by November 1, 2019. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
Preferred skills:
- Qualitative and quantitative data management and analysis, including: Geographic Information System (GIS) data management, analysis and mapping; statistical analysis and scripting using R, Python and/or Stata
- Knowledge and experience in collecting water quality data and analyzing and visualizing the data for reporting public communications
- Attention to detail and record keeping
- Prior experience in working with stakeholder groups and evaluation
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