Postdoctoral Position in Structured Decision Making at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC)
Science-based structured decision-making is increasingly recognized as a promising approach to a wide range of decision problems, including those in environmental management and conservation. This 2-year postdoctoral position represents a means of trying to increase Department of the Interior (DOI) capacity in this area. Specifically, the position is directed at building capacity within DOI primarily in the following ways: (1) The postdoc would serve as an apprentice who would have the opportunity to learn about structured decision processes from the senior personnel at PWRC with expertise in this area. After two years working with PWRC personnel, the postdoc would be a strong candidate for a permanent position within USGS or another DOI agency, requiring this expertise. (2) The postdoc would be assigned a particular methodological problem associated with decision analysis as a research project. Although efficient approaches for the implementation of structured approaches to decision making are reasonably well known, there are many technical issues that would benefit from additional study. These might include modeling approaches, characterization of optimal solutions for general classes of problems, and elicitation of objectives from stakeholder groups with divergent perspectives. This research would build capacity of the postdoc and add to the methodological toolbox available to practitioners. (3) The postdoc would contribute immediately to DOI capacity by serving as “point person” for at least one actual collaborative structured decision project with DOI management agencies (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) or state agencies. (4) The postdoc would participate in DOI training programs designed to build capacity in structured decision analysis and adaptive management. PWRC personnel currently lead short courses, workshops and web-based seminars on these and related topics. The postdoc would be a primary contributor in this effort, first as an apprentice and later as an instructor. (5) In addition to these specific duties, the postdoc would work with investigators and other DOI personnel on development of a broad strategy for extending the competency of USGS personnel in structured decision making and building the capacity within USGS to assist other DOI agencies in use of this approach. Applicants will be evaluated on their experience and abilities in the 3 primary areas of quantitative expertise used in structured decision making: modeling, estimation and optimization. Applicants are expected to have earned a Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline and should be proficient in at least one of these areas. Salary is very competitive. For further information, contact: Jim Nichols ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), Mike Runge ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or Bill Kendall ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) U.S. Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 12100 Beech Forest Road Laurel, MD 20708-4017 USA
