Research Faculty (PREP0003030) Full-time

Research Faculty

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

The Community Resilience Program (CRP) of the National Institute of Standards of Technology (NIST) anticipates the need for a GIS Specialist to work on community resilience and sustainability.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside NIST researchers while being associated with a NIST PREP participating academic institution. This role requires a researcher who:

Leads complex geospatial research for Community Resilience Planning and Disaster and Failure Studies, focusing on community resilience to natural, human-caused, and technological hazards, as well as socio-economic and physical community systems. Directs the development of geospatial metrology, models, tools, guidance, and standards for community resilience and associated decision-making. Engages with internal and external partners to establish best practices for data collection in multi-disciplinary post-disaster field studies, utilizing current technologies and tools to advance disaster research metrology. Provides subject matter expertise and strategic direction on resilience-related socio-economic and physical systems science, employing advanced Geographic Information System analysis, diverse quantitative and qualitative methods, data collection instruments, and interdisciplinary methodologies for community resilience measurement and modeling. Offers geospatial expertise and guidance, and actively participates in disaster field studies, technical investigations, and disaster reconnaissance.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Research
• Publishing within refereed journals and technical research series
• Developing draft standards
• Crafting decision-support software
• Communicating research at professional conferences

Additional responsibilities may cover:

• Analysis of survey data
• Complex event analysis using spatial data
• Evaluating community level planning for climate and resilience
• Incorporating risk and uncertainty into community resilience planning assessments
• Survey design and approval processes

The PREP researcher will use of a broad set of skills, including, but not limited to: survey tool development, sample frame development, statistical inference, systems analysis/ modeling, collaborative/participatory modeling, qualitative interview analysis, quantitative structural equation modeling and regression analysis, as well as agent-based modeling. Key outcomes will be analyses, reports, and best practice guidance to businesses, industry, standard making bodies, and government.

It is expected that the PREP Researcher will engage in all steps of the research process, including but not limited to: survey (re)design and dissemination, data analysis, preparation of reports and archival journal articles, as well as reporting and communication with stakeholders.

The work will entail:

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Collaborate on data and methods to improve the methodology for measuring economic impact of community resilience planning, which is organized around the performance metric of 'cost plus loss' minimization – i.e., the economically optimal level of investment in prevention and mitigation activities to reduce future disturbance and disaster-related losses, as well as related expenditures that minimize the combined investment cost plus the value of expected losses.
• Development of decision frameworks for community level choices
• Design and execution of data collection instruments
• Statistical analysis of collected survey data
• Assessment of research and data gaps
• Developing decision-support tools for home residents, homeowners, communities, business operators, industry, and/or government agencies to make more efficient, sustainable, resilient, and/or circular choices.

Qualifications:

An advanced degree in GIS Research Sociology, Computer Science, Engineering, Economics, Social Science, Planning, Behavioral Social Sciences, or a related field.

Familiarity with multiple scripting languages.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Advanced knowledge of policies, theories, principles, practices, and methods of a technical professional field of research (in science, engineering, information technology, or mathematics) and the ability, as a significant contributor to the specialty, to conduct and direct an advanced research program, exercise professional leadership, and provide consultation in the specialty. Skill in applying highly valued expertise in a recognized leading-edge research field. Ability to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues and/or programs. OR Ability to perform the full range of supervisory functions, including planning, assigning, and reviewing work, and evaluating performance. Advanced knowledge of the programs directed and the ability to influence, motivate, or persuade persons or groups or take actions related to advancing the program/organization fundamental goals and objectives, including program planning, managing resources, assigning and reviewing work, and evaluating performance.

Candidates can reach out to Dr. Jennifer Helgeson at Jennifer.helgeson@nist.gov if interested. Please provide an up-to-date CV or resume. NIST is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer.