Disaster Resilience of Complex System: Graduate Students, Master's, or Doctoral Degree

Zintellect is seeking graduate students for a research position focused on Disaster Resilience of Complex Systems at the Environmental Laboratory in Vicksburg, MS. The role involves researching resilience related to pandemics, natural disasters, and cyberattacks, requiring knowledge in environmental management and risk analytics. The fellowship offers a stipend, potential health insurance, and opportunities to collaborate with diverse scientists. This is a full-time, on-site position for twelve months.
The Environmental Laboratory (EL) is one of the seven laboratories of U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (USACE-ERDC), which is the Army Corps of Engineers' integrated research and development (R&D) organization. EL provides solutions to environmental challenges for the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense and the Nation through environmental science and engineering research and development. Researchers in EL conduct research in ecosystem science and technology, environmental resiliency, environmental sensing, ecological modeling and forecasting, risk and decision science, environmentally sustainable material, systems biology, climate change, computational chemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental security.

What will I be doing?

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will research projects related to the team's current and future portfolio of resilience research, as well as pandemic analytics with respect to the risk and resilience of disrupted systems due to pandemics, natural disasters and cyberattacks. Current projects are at intersection of physical and social science and engineering and require systems approaches to support policy decisions. The team is researching 1) how to build the business case for resilience in environmental systems with improved quantification and consideration of broad benefits, including methods that consider the economics of sustainability and resilience, 2) resilience of complex systems where interconnected domains require consideration of compounding threats and cascading failures, 3) energy and transportation networks where resilience and efficiency of critical functions need to be quantified and integrated in selection of management policies, and (4) data analytics and risk analysis for pandemic response. These projects provide a broad experience in efforts at different stages of execution, from project conception and scoping to report and manuscript publication. Information required for this research is knowledge of environmental management, complex systems, risk and resilience analytics to complete these projects.

Why should I apply?

This fellowship will provide you the opportunity to be part of a team to study invasive species and their management. As such, you will have numerous opportunities to observe and collaborate with scientists of varying backgrounds and expertise.

Where will I be located? Vicksburg, Mississippi

What is the anticipated start date?

Exact start date will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate.

What is the appointment length?

This appointment is a full-time twelve-month research appointment. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.

What are the benefits?

You will receive a stipend to be determined by ERDC-EL. Stipends are typically based on the participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location.

Other benefits may include the following:
• Health Insurance Supplement. Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE.
• Relocation Allowance
• Training and Travel Allowance

About ORISE

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.