The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) at the University of Oklahoma seeks to hire a Research Associate or Research Scientist to join an interdisciplinary team focused on reducing risk to drought, flood, wildfire, and other climate extremes across the CASC’s four-state region (LA, NM, OK, TX). The South Central CASC is a boundary organization, and this position will serve as one of our primary boundary spanners to connect with key partners in the region. This position will provide technical assistance for natural resource management for a variety of federal, state, and tribal agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other resource management partners. The Adaptation Specialist will be an employee of the University of Oklahoma based in Norman, OK. Moderate travel within the South Central CASC region is expected to meet with partners and continue building relationships with resource managers in the region.

Job Responsibilities

The selected candidate will play a leading role in synthesizing climate adaptation research and combining the information with climate-related datasets, tools, or other relevant products for resource managers. Specific duties are listed below:

-       Engage with partners in actionable science and provide science-based information as they adapt to, respond to, and plan for climate extremes in their local jurisdictions

-       Communicate relevant scientific/technical information to a variety of audiences, including scientists and non-scientists, in a variety of venues

-       Collaborate with USGS, federal/state/tribal agencies, NGOs, and others to identify research and information gaps, including science information, products, datasets, decision support tools, etc. to meet partners’ needs for adaptation efforts

-       Synthesize and disseminate the research conducted by the South Central CASC using effective software and through reports, agency science highlights, and other media in formats accessible and usable for resource managers

-       Attend meetings and professional conferences to build connections with key partners

-       Lead novel research or climate-related data analysis on impacts and adaptation for ecological systems with other research partners (Research Scientist)

Qualifications (required)

-       Ph.D. ( for Research Scientist position) in ecology, hydrology, physical geography, climate science (broadly interpreted), environmental science, or related field, OR

-       Masters Degree (for Research Associate position) with at least 5 years of experience in ecology, hydrology, physical geography, climate science (broadly interpreted), environmental science, or related field

-       Strong data analysis skills (quantitative and/or qualitative)

-       Ability to effectively communicate scientific/technical information to non-expert audiences

-       Proficiency with computer applications, including videoconferencing (e.g., Zoom), cloud services (e.g., Google Docs), word processing, presentation software, and spreadsheets

Qualifications (preferred)

-       Experience with statistical analysis of environmental data, geographical information science, or intermediate programming using R, Python, or similar language to process or display environmental data

-       Familiarity with management of climate, hydrologic, ecological, or other spatial environmental datasets

-       Experience working independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

-       Experience working with practitioners outside academia on actionable science

-       Interest in applied conservation, decision support, or co-developed science

-       Experience writing proposals, governmental reports, or scientific summaries for decision makers

-       Experience in vulnerability assessments, hazard mitigation plans, or climate adaptation planning

To apply, please submit the following items to Emma Kuster ([email protected]) with the subject line “Adaptation Specialist Position”:  

-       a cover letter highlighting your interest in this position and how you meet the listed qualifications

-       your up-to-date resume/CV

-       a one-page statement on how you have helped or will help make science useful and useable for decision makers

-       contact information for 4 professional references (references will not be contacted without your permission)

-       a writing sample – can be a chapter of a thesis or dissertation, a published or submitted manuscript in which you are lead author, a government report in which you are lead author, a book chapter in which you are lead author, or an essay in which you are the sole author