This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/515821600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The Closing Date has been updated to February 19, 2019.
What General Information Do I Need to Know About This Position?
Salary:
Middleton, WI: $73,375 (Step 1) to $95,388 (Step 10);
Tucson, AZ: $73,884 (Step 1) to $96,049 (Step 10);
Woods Hole, MA: $81,077 (Step 1) to $105,400 (Step 10);
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
There is one vacancy; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
11/02/2018 to 02/19/2019
$73,375 - $105,400 per year
GS 12
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Term - This is an Excepted Appointment Not-to-Exceed 2 Years
Full-Time
Excepted
12
No
No
RES-2019-0021
515821600
Open to all qualified candidates. Because this Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is a U.S. Government position, preference must be given to U.S. citizens. Citizens of other nations may be considered under certain circumstances, i.e., when there are no qualified U.S. citizen applicants available. In those instances, the USGS may consider making an offer to a non-citizen provided applicable laws and regulations are followed.
Mendenhall Research Fellowship - Research Opportunity #17-18, Geoinformatics research for USGS science
As a leading federal natural-science research agency, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is well-positioned to harness the massive growth in Earth systems data to answer societally relevant questions. Collaboration and integration of data from multiple sources is fundamental to conducting the USGS's mission of providing reliable scientific information that helps reduce loss of life and property from natural disasters and informs the management of water, biological, energy, and mineral resources. Towards this end, technological advances now make it possible to run fully interactive, scalable and data-proximate science workflows remotely on both highperformance computing (HPC) facilities and in the Cloud, using community-driven, open-source components. Scientists need only a web browser and internet connection to process and analyze massive amounts of data stored off-site. Research is needed to understand how best to integrate this capability into the next generation of USGS science.
The focus of research under this Opportunity is to investigate and develop interactive, scalable workflows on HPC and the Cloud for targeted science use cases, addressing technical, institutional and cultural challenges of compelling interest to USGS programs. Leveraging technological innovation to address the growing exposure of human populations to natural hazard risks is a recognized agency priority. The recently released USGS Circular “Science for a Risky World” states that harnessing advances in technology and employing experts with skills in advanced computing will help generate products and information that reduce risk.
The candidate will have a wide latitude for shaping the outcomes of this project, including the development of new workflows for simulation, spatial analysis, machine learning, visualization, and distribution of information products. For example, aerial or satellite imagery of coastal areas before and after storms can be processed with photogrammetry algorithms to determine elevations, classified using machine learning tools to extract landscape features, and analyzed to evaluate landform change. Storm impact metrics could be developed from terabytes of coastal ocean simulation data; products could include vulnerability assessments and new approaches for delivering this content to stakeholders. Assessments of ensemble modeling using the National Water Model could be generated and products distributed in Cloud-friendly formats. The advances made will benefit not only the individual science use cases explored, but the broader USGS and the greater international research communities. In the event that the project involves content delivery, the candidate will be encouraged to engage with stakeholders from the project initiation through to its conclusion to ensure the development of optimally effective products and delivery mechanisms.
Proposed Duty Station: Woods Hole, MA; Middleton, WI; or Tucson, AZ
Areas of Ph.D.: Oceanography, hydrology, geophysics, meteorology, computer science, geoinformatics, data science, engineering, environmental science, or other relevant discipline (candidates holding a Ph.D. in other disciplines, but with extensive relevant knowledge and skills may be considered).
Qualifications: Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: Applicants could meet one of the following qualifications: Research Geologist; Research Geographer; Research Hydrologist; Research Oceanographer; Research Engineer; Computer Scientist. (This type of research is performed by those who have backgrounds for the occupations stated above. However, other titles may be applicable depending on the applicant's background, education, and research proposal. The final classification of the position will be made by the Human Resources specialist).
http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/opps/qualifications.html
Physical/Environmental Demands: Work is usually performed in an office setting. The work area normally involves everyday risks or discomforts that require safety precautions typical of offices or meeting and training rooms.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
The Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to conduct concentrated research in association with selected members of the USGS professional staff, often as a final element to their formal career preparation. The Program is also intended to provide research experiences that enhance their personal scientific stature and credentials. The Mendenhall Program is envisioned to bring current scientific expertise to assist in the implementation of the USGS Strategic Plan and the science strategy of its programs (refer to http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2007/1309/ and http://www.usgs.gov/start_with_science/). Mendenhall Fellows are expected to publish their results in peer-reviewed scientific outlets.
In order to be considered for these opportunities, candidates must:
(1) have successfully completed a Ph.D. in a field related to the described Research Opportunity; the Ph.D. degree requirements must have been met no earlier than November 2, 2013 (5 years before the announcement opening date), and must be completed by the time employment starts;
(2) meet the qualification requirements described in the Research Opportunity. The research proposal submitted must demonstrate that the applicant is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties for the specific Research Opportunity.
Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. An agency is permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position, and meets the appropriation and immigration laws. Please contact the appropriate regional Personnel Office for questions about eligibility and further assistance. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/.
Foreign Education. You must provide proof, if the foreign education determines your qualifications for the position. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if the applicant can show that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide such evidence when applying for Federal jobs. If selected, you will be required to provide official proof that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html.
You must meet all eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Applicants are to submit the following for each individual Research Opportunity for which they are applying.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If an applicant is chosen for an opportunity and meets the qualification requirements, the Human Resources Office will contact the applicant and make a firm job offer.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Applicants are to submit the following for each individual Research Opportunity for which they are applying.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If an applicant is chosen for an opportunity and meets the qualification requirements, the Human Resources Office will contact the applicant and make a firm job offer.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/515821600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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