Opportunity

In 2013, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established the Gulf Research Program (GRP) to enhance oil system safety and the protection of human health and the environment in the Gulf of Mexico and other U.S. outer continental shelf areas. The Gulf Research Program seeks to improve understanding of the region’s interconnecting human, environmental, and energy systems and fostering application of these insights to benefit communities and ecosystems of the Gulf.

This position is with the GRP’s Gulf Environmental Protection and Stewardship Board (GEPS), which strives to protect and enhance the socio-ecological systems of the Gulf region as climate changes and the Gulf energy sector shifts to decarbonized energy sources.

The Gulf Research Program seeks a Research Associate (RA) to join the GRP’s Gulf Environmental Protection and Stewardship program unit. The RA will work on the program’s existing and developing portfolio of grants, consensus studies, workshops, and other activities. The RA will work with GRP program staff on a range of activities, including providing background research on environmental and Gulf-related topics; drafting and editing written materials for internal and external audiences; contributing to planning and implementation of meetings and events; administrative duties related to programs/projects; and responding to inquiries from internal and external sources. The RA will receive guidance and expertise from a supervisor or higher-level staff member when needed and will report to Program Officer / Senior Program Manager.

The successful applicant will be involved in the development of new grant opportunities as well as the Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative, a new, interdisciplinary project focusing on the future of the Mississippi Delta and how that knowledge can be applied. There will be opportunities to engage with the broader Gulf of Mexico restoration and research community while building skills in project management and grants administration.

Responsibilities:

• Research and Writing: Provides background research on environmental and Gulf-related topics; drafts and edits written materials for internal and external audiences.  Reads, analyzes, and evaluates data and literature and compiles summaries of information. May perform basic statistical research and analysis.
• Program/Project Activities: Attends meetings, workshops, and other events with external volunteers to present and receive feedback; prepares meeting summaries. Performs administrative tasks such as corresponding with external volunteers, participating in the planning and execution of meetings, and other tasks associated with preparing for meetings and workshops. May assist senior staff in researching and identifying potential speakers and committee members. Prepares preliminary work plans for projects to determine appropriate approach and implementation.
• Support Grant Making Projects: May edit application and review forms and other materials, identify potential reviewers, conduct compliance reviews, provide meeting administrative support, and respond to grantee inquiries.
• Database Management: Develops, manages, and/or works with various databases, including reference databases.
• Literature Reviews: Conducts literature reviews independently and reporting on findings internally. This may involve verifying references, checking facts, and writing and organizing reports and summaries of technical information.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge. Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: General knowledge of coastal and environmental issues. Ability to creatively and collaboratively solve problems of appreciable variety and complexity. Excellent attention to detail, time management skills, and organizational skills. Excellent communication skills, including technical writing, written business communication, and in-person meeting support.  Ability to exercise appreciable latitude for independent judgment and action. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication. Proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.
• Experience: Two years of related professional experience. Experience with U.S. Gulf of Mexico environmental research and policy.
• Communication and Teamwork: Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees. Ability to work successfully in a team environment. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication.
• Supervision: Reports to program officer/director. Sets goals with supervisor.
• Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment. Incumbent is expected to work onsite 40% of the time for the first several months. Occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation:

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $58,000 - $65,000. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. 

Apply online.