Employment and Funding Opportunities for Stakeholder Driven/Interdisciplinary Science and Research

Funding Announcements:

Maine Water Resources Research Institute – Communicating Water Resources Science student internship funding

The Maine WRRI seeks to improve the transfer of knowledge between researchers and their partners in Maine by establishing an internship program for undergraduate/graduate students to help develop resources focused on facilitating the adaptation of water science into practice. Students will work collaboratively with research teams and their partners to design communication tools to increase understanding of research outcomes and to develop a knowledge base to expand awareness of future water resources challenges from climate change and human activities. Research themes considered in this proposal include: 1) traditional water knowledge, 2) winter water budgets, 3) surface water features, 4) groundwater pathways, and 5) land-sea connections.

Roles and Responsibilities: The application process will select three to four water resources research projects where development of knowledge transfer tools can substantially benefit community partners. Each selected project will involve a student intern and a mentor with expertise related to at least one of the project themes. Teams will participate in coordinated activities such as information exchange, development of research and communication strategies, coordination of partner engagement and feedback, and development, refinement and rollout of science communication products.

Available Funding: Faculty can request up to $4,000, including funding for interns at pay rates commensurate with UMaine’s Student Special Project Assistant III (Step 3) for undergraduate students; or, UMaine’s Graduate Student Assistant II (Step 10) for graduate students, and a maximum of $500 for faculty summer salary. Funding is available from January 15, 2025 to August 31, 2025.

A downloadable application form with complete guidelines is available in this post: Maine WRRI opens applications for student internship funding awards. Questions about this opportunity can be sent to Sean Smith.

Maine Water Resources Research Institute FY25 Request for Proposals

Critical Dates
  • Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 12PM  –  Information session via Zoom or 111 Norman Smith Hall
  • Friday, January 10, 2025  –  Pre-proposal due
With funding from the U.S. Geological Survey’s 104b program, the Maine Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) in the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions supports research and outreach to enhance the capacity for the sustainable management of water resources across the state. We request proposals for solutions-driven projects in which interdisciplinary research teams collaborate closely with stakeholders and provide support for student training. This request for proposals from the Maine-USGS WRRI constitutes the FY25 Maine grants program as authorized by the federal Water Resources Research Act of 1984 as amended. Please note that funding for the FY25 WRRI program is dependent on inclusion of the program in the FY25 federal budget.Complete proposal guidelines can be found on the Mitchell Center’s website.

Position Announcements:

Student Positions in the USGS – Posted November 2024
The USGS New England Water Science Center is seeking students working towards an associate, undergraduate, graduate level degree in geology, chemistry, physics, geophysics, biology, ecology, mathematics, soils, forestry, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical science, atmospheric science, engineering, construction, or industrial technology to gain practical experience in gathering basic hydrologic data concerning any one or a combination of four areas, i.e., quantity, quality, availability, and movement and distribution of water.
Opens: Monday 11/18
Closes: Monday 12/2
For more information and to apply go to https://www.usajobs.gov/job/817928700

Assistant Professor of Coastal Sciences – University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) – Posted October 2024

Location: Baltimore, MD

Position Type: Faculty, Tenure-track

Position URL: https://apply.interfolio.com/156317

Position Description:  The Department of Geography and Environmental Systems (GES) at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) invites applications from scholars in coastal science, pursuing a research agenda in hydrology, ecology, geomorphology, wetland biogeochemistry, or fisheries. Areas of specialization are open, but preference will be given to candidates whose research focus emphasizes biophysical dynamics and resilience of coastal systems in the context of global social and environmental change.

The successful candidate is expected to develop an externally-funded research program while teaching a combination of introductory physical geography or environmental science courses and advanced courses (at the undergraduate and graduate levels) in their area of specialty. The average teaching load is two courses per semester. This is a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor rank and will begin in August 2025. The salary range for this position is $94,000-99,000 for a 9-month position.

Assistant Professor in Earth Surface Processes – University of Delaware – Posted October 2024

Location: Newark, DE

Position Type: Faculty, Tenure-track

Position URL: https://careers.udel.edu/en-us/job/501386/tenuretrack-assistant-professor-position-in-earth-surface-processes

Position Description:  The Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the University of Delaware (UD) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position in Earth Surface Processes beginning in fall 2025 at the rank of Assistant Professor.  We are seeking exceptional candidates who will develop a strong externally funded research program, teach across the introductory to graduate curriculum, mentor graduate students, and contribute to a supportive and interdisciplinary culture within the Department, the College, and the University. Candidates will be considered from any specialization within surface processes/geomorphology; those focusing on coastal processes, natural hazards, or the cryosphere, and who use tools such as numerical modeling, remote sensing, and big data science are especially encouraged to apply. A Ph.D. in earth sciences or a related field is required. Successful candidates are expected to have demonstrated excellence in research, commensurate with career stage, and have a dedicated interest in high quality teaching. All faculty are expected to contribute to a welcoming campus environment that embraces diversity.

Research Fellows – UMass / MassDEP Safe Drinking Water Programs [Multiple Positions] – Posted October 2024

Location: Massachusetts (various offices)

Program Description:  The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is partnering with UMass Amherst to provide technical and training support for the development and implementation of Safe Drinking Water Programs, in particular the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Rule.
UMass is hiring Research Fellows to assist MassDEP with Safe Drinking Water programs by providing assistance with the operational, technical, financial, and managerial aspects of public water systems (PWS) in Massachusetts.  Several full- and part-time positions are available. Research fellows will be hired at three levels dependent on a candidate’s qualifications: 1) Safe Drinking Water Facilitator (qualified), 2) Safe Drinking Water Associate (more qualified), 3) Safe Drinking Water Specialist (most qualified).  There is a 40% weekly travel to one of MassDEP’s offices including the regions and Boston.  Compensation may vary $30.00 -$45.00/hr.

    1. Description page for Safe Drinking Water Facilitator
    2. Description page for Safe Drinking Water Associate
    3. Description page for Safe Drinking Water Specialist

Student Internship and Recent Graduates Programs:

The Pathways Program and other student programs offer federal internship and employment opportunities for current students, recent graduates and those with an advanced degree:  http://www.usajobs.gov/studentsandgrads

Funding opportunities for various research areas:

Water Resources Research Institute Grant Program

NSF – Coastlines and People (CoPe) – Hubs for Research and Broadening Participation

Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF)

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts

Harnessing the Data Revolution : Transdisciplinary Research in Principles of Data Science Phase II (TRIPODS) – NSF

Clinician-Scientists Transdisciplinary Aging Research Coordinating Center (Clin-STAR)

National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Interdisciplinary Research Opportunities

NSF – Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA)

Maine Sea Grant – Funding Opportunity List