Research Scholar

North Carolina State University, United States

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
Posting Information


Posting Number PG193209EP
Internal Recruitment No
Working Title Research Scholar
Anticipated Hiring Range $75,000 - $80,000
Work Schedule 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday
Job Location Raleigh, NC
Department Sciences - State Climate Office
About the Department
North Carolina has a complex climate due to its three distinct regions: the mountains, the piedmont, and the coastal plain. Climate affects many aspects of our daily lives – agriculture, environment, transportation, tourism, and natural disasters. North Carolina is especially prone to the impacts of a warming climate, including sea level rise, extreme precipitation, and hotter temperatures. The State Climate Office of North Carolina was established in 1976, originally at UNC-Chapel Hill, and moved to NC State University in 1980. The mission of the State Climate Office (SCO) is to provide climate related services to the state, local and federal agencies, businesses and the citizens of North Carolina. In 1998, the UNC Board of Governors formally approved it as a Public Service Center.
The State Climate Office is located on NC State University’s Centennial Campus, where private industries, government agencies, and University researchers come together and create a unique environment for interaction and advancement. The State Climate Office is a part of the College of Sciences and collaborates closely with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The State Climate Office is actively involved in research that enhances its capabilities to provide public service. The office specializes in research, monitoring, and education for climate-sensitive sectors across the state. North Carolina is at the frontline of climate change resilience, and the office is engaged in research projects that help North Carolinians understand their climate risk and adaptive capacity. The office has seen steady growth over the past decade, and receives funding from state and federal agencies. Additionally, the office runs the North Carolina ECONet, a network of 43 research-grade stations located statewide. The office hopes to place one station in each North Carolina county by 2030. Please visit our Sciences Strategic Plan and the College of Sciences Culture Charter to learn more about the College of Sciences.
NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution’s mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.
Essential Job Duties
The Research Scholar will support new and existing State Climate Office research projects on heat, flooding, fire, and climate adaptation. This position will also conduct original research using NC ECONet (mesonet) data in support of NC state agencies, local and city officials, and other consumers. This position will occasionally collaborate with other SCO staff to improve public-facing products, tools, and services. Experience working with climate data extremes in heat and/or precipitation is especially desirable.
This position will serve as a co-lead or lead researcher or individual contributor on one or more highly complex research projects and will be responsible for supporting and overseeing specific work by students and staff on using and obtaining downscaled climate model projections (CMIP5 and CMIP6). This position will not have supervisory responsibility for others. This position will be expected to contribute to journal articles, white papers, reports, and other end products as determined by clients.
The candidate will be expected to foster and cultivate the State Climate Office’s larger research network and portfolio and oversee and mentor staff and student work. Each position in the state climate office has 10% time allocated for passion projects (e.g., climate outreach, emerging topics of research). This position is expected to support the State Climate Office’s commitment to scientific integrity and is highly collaborative with external partners, and often works with State of NC agencies, NC State University faculty, and other faculty around North Carolina. A successful candidate needs to be able to work collaboratively and collegially with State Climate Office partners and will be expected to develop their own research partnerships outside of the State Climate Office.
This position is fully funded for two years on already existing grants and forms of support. The successful candidate will be expected to write grants as a co-investigator or lead investigator to support their salary beyond the first two years. The position has time and support for grant writing and mentorship in the first two years.
Other Responsibilities
Other Work/Responsibilities include communication of climate science concepts through visual (maps, charts), written (reports, newsletters, blogs), and oral (community presentations) methods. These duties will support the extension, outreach, and education mission of the program.

Qualifications


Minimum Education and Experience
PhD in atmospheric science, climatology, geography, environmental science, hydrology, forestry, geosciences, geology, agricultural sciences, biology or related field; or Master’s degree with at least 5 years of formal post-degree professional work experience.
Other Required Qualifications
  • Ability to obtain, process, and use downscaled global climate model output for research (CMIP5 experience required
  • Familiarity CMIP6 expected in position
  • Demonstrated fluency in a programming language (R, Python, Matlab, or another equivalent language)
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
  • Knowledge of regional climate impacts in the Southeast
  • Individual proficiency in a topic area (e.g., extreme heat, flooding, or fire)
  • Outreach experience
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required No
Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions


Job Open Date 02/12/2024
Anticipated Close Date Open until filled.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references.

Position Details


Position Number 00110634
Position Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0
Appointment 12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID 179501 - Sciences - State Climate Office
AA/EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or [email protected] .
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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