Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Social Science
A postgraduate research opportunity in social science is available with the US Forest Service (USFS), Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS) in Seattle, Washington.
Social scientists within the PNW Station, in collaboration with USFS Managers and scientists from other stations, have been engaging in research to better characterize and understand how the agency culture influences, and is shaped by, workforce diversity and inclusion, as well as the experiences of employees representing various demographic groups. The station has developed novel applications to characterize various connections among groups and how they relate to their environment, and more specifically, a study of the experiences of women and people of color within the Pacific Northwest (R6) fire organization. Beyond the station, there are new agency efforts to undertake an initiative around the Forest Service as a learning organization. The role that PNW social science will play in such an initiative is incompletely defined but anticipated to be integral.
The ORISE Participant will be engaged to facilitate the PNW Social Science engagement in research activities in support of potential agency workplace assessment efforts and potentially informing workplace improvement strategies. The research participant will assist social scientists in the Goods, Services, and Values Program to identify, develop, and execute studies related to organizational culture, structure, and function as well as workforce characteristics.
Under the guidance and mentorship of Lee Cerveny, Research Social Scientist, the Participant will:
- Develop a review and assessment of existing social sciences research related to federal agency culture, particularly with an emphasis on those agencies (federal or state) with natural resources management missions; comprised of diverse work force; hierarchical organizational structures; that engage in hazardous public safety missions; and that relate to the broad spectrum of rural to urban communities.
- Support and/or help coordinate activities associated with the ongoing studies of women and people of color in fire conducted in collaboration with USFS Region 6;
- Provide coordination or logistics support for the development of cross-station initiatives in agency culture, the workplace environment, and employee experience.
Qualifications
The candidate we seek for this position should have earned a Ph.D. (or equivalent professional degree) in social science, public administration, business, or related field. Appropriate disciplines (and sub-disciplines) may include (but are not limited to): psychology (organizational psychology, behavioral psychology, industrial psychology), sociology (industrial sociology, sociology of organizations), demography, anthropology (business or organizational anthropology), human resources or personnel management, labor and industrial relations, business management, or leadership.
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign nationals.
For more information about the USFS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
The USFS is actively reviewing applications and is looking to fill positions as soon as qualified applicants are identified.