Scholar - Gulf Research Program

Job Description Summary:

In 2013, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established the Gulf Research Program (GRP) with a $500 million endowment to enhance oil system safety and the protection of human health and the environment in the Gulf of Mexico and on the outer continental shelf of the U.S. The GRP seeks a Scholar to work with the GRP leadership, Division Committee, and others to provide scientific and strategic guidance and leadership for the GRP synthesis and application efforts. The broader GRP mandate is to enhance the region’s human, environmental, and energy systems in the Gulf of Mexico and on the outer continental shelf of the United States.

Over a period of approximately 18-24 months, the Scholar would develop a strategy for using data to advance the GRP’s synthesis work in a way that ensures connection across the health and resilience, environmental, and offshore safety program areas. The GRP has an opportunity to address complex scientific issues present today in the Gulf and to mitigate ones yet to come, and the Scholar will design programs to meet these challenges in the short and long terms drawing from the data and evidence base the GRP either uses or has helped to generate. The Scholar would work closely with the Executive Director, the GRP Division Committee, and others in structuring the program’s work to align with and integrate across the GRP program focus areas. The incumbent will maintain relations with diverse stakeholders within the Academies complex, as well as with the GRP external stakeholders and partners.

Incumbent deals with important or controversial issues, and effective persuasion, negotiation, and compromise are critical to success in the role. Reports to Executive Director.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1.  Responsible for developing the initial framing for a balanced, diverse, and high quality portfolio of projects/programs to frame GRP’s portfolio related to synthesis and application. Establishes a vision and working strategy for programmatic activities conducted that connects with other GRP units and aligned with the GRP Strategic Plan.

2.  Works closely with a small, appointed committee to generate strategies and ideas for specific, integrated, impactful work that the GRP should engage or invest in over the next 5, 10, or 15 years to address the challenges of the Gulf region today and those predicted for the next few decades. Responsible for developing a framework for ensuring a portfolio of data or synthesis activities needed to achieve impactful outcomes.

3. Works with the Executive Director on establishing and appointing members to assist with guidance or oversight of applications or management of GRP elements related to data, synthesis, and application.

4. Maintains current and develops new relationships and external contacts; builds strategic partnerships in or related to the Gulf of Mexico region.  

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Related duties and special projects as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Extensive experience and understanding of data, data management, synthesis science, or environmental management issues pertinent to those current or emerging in the Gulf of Mexico region.  These issues could include socio-ecological systems; interdependencies among the environment, the economy, the people of the Gulf, Mississippi River dynamics as they affect instream inputs to the Gulf or the geomorphology of the Coastal Plain; coastal ecosystems or processes; or other appropriately scaled challenges facing the Gulf region.

• Ability to connect data and synthesis science in integrative ways to the other GRP program units related to offshore energy safety, environmental protection and stewardship, and health and resilience. 

• Ability to solve intellectual problems that reflect substantial variety and complexity.

• Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues.

• Ability to operate with substantial latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to identify and attract staff for this work.

• Ability to develop relationships through effective communication and collaboration.

• Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees. Understanding of the National Academies’ mission and culture. 

• Deep familiarity with Gulf of Mexico region issues, culture, and institutions.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Ph.D. in a related field or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience: twenty years of related professional experience or equivalent. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completio