Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Water Resources

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Center for Forest Watershed Research/Santee Experimental Forest in Cordesville, South Carolina.

Forest roads and associated stream crossing structures (e.g. relief culverts, bridges, etc) provide access for forest management. These essential infrastructures need to be properly designed, installed, and maintained for flooding resiliency and ecological benefits purposes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and at least 40,000 stream crossings along these roads. Undersized stream crossing structures (i.e. culvert) could cause significant economic losses and could affect stream connectivity, creating barriers to aquatic organisms. It is thus fundamentally important to conduct proper hydraulic design to accommodate extreme flow events impacting design life of these structures. Extreme precipitation events are growing more severe and more frequent in recent years due to increased atmospheric water vapor content resulting from rising air temperatures. As a result, land and water managers, planners, and researchers are increasingly concerned how such extreme precipitation events would affect design discharges and ultimately the road drainage facilities, culverts, bridges, stream crossings and water management structures.

We are looking for a research participant who has a good knowledge of extreme precipitation event dynamics due to changing climate and associated impacts on flooding dynamics, including design and risk analysis of road cross-drainage structures and stream crossings. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will examine large data sets from long-term hydro-climatic monitoring to derive precipitation intensity duration and flood frequency analysis for associated peak discharges impacting forest road cross drainage structures at three US Forest Service long-term experimental forest watersheds (Hubbard-Brook in New Hampshire, Frazier in Colorado, and H.J. Andrews in Oregon).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Spring/Summer 2020 (flexible)

This program, administered by 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 USFS. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed for an additional year upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend in the range of $6,035, commensurate with educational level and experience, as well as partial coverage (75% of total premium) of individual health insurance. The participant will also receive a travel stipend for attendance at project meetings and presentations at scientific conferences. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at USFS in the Cordesville, South Carolina, area. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USFS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

For more information about the USFS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.

ABOUT THE AREA

USDA Forest Service Santee Experimental Forest (SEF) is located within the Francis Marion National Forest (FMNF) near the town of Huger in Cordesville, South Carolina. Located in coastal counties of Charleston and Berkeley, the 2600 ha SEF was established in 1937 by the USDA Forest Service with a mission of silvicultural and hydrological research, environmental monitoring, demonstration and educational activities in support of sustainable forest management practices. The four long-term gauged experimental watersheds of varying scales at the SEF on freshwater wetland forests has its unique location draining to tidally influenced Huger Creek, headwater of East Branch of the Cooper River which drains into Charleston Harbor.

The FMNF is subjected to significant urbanization issues, with numerous rapidly growing urban communities found within and adjacent to the proclamation boundary.  It is situated between two major metropolitan areas: Myrtle Beach (60 km to the north) and historic Charleston (50 km to the south).  This part of coastal South Carolina is a popular tourist destination well known for its freshwater and saltwater recreation, golf/tennis, beautiful coastal scenery and historical landmarks dating back to colonial America. The climate is hot and humid in the summer and typically mild in the winter.  With a population of over 128,000 residents, Charleston is the largest nearby metropolitan area.  However, the towns of Moncks Corner (25 km), Goose Creek (55 km), Mount Pleasant (36 km), and McClellanville (32 km) are nearby.  

Clemson University’s Baruch Research Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science is located in Georgetown located about 60 km northeast from the SEF.  Post-secondary education is available at the College of Charleston, Trident Technical College in North Charleston, Horry Georgetown Tech in Georgetown, Citadel in Charleston, and Charleston Southern.

Air transportation is available at the Charleston International Airport.  There is an Amtrak station in North Charleston.  South Carolina has an income tax and a sales tax that is 7%. 

Housing prices are variable depending on location, but are significantly higher in Charleston County than Berkeley and Georgetown counties where most of the Francis Marion employees live.  Prices for lakefront or oceanfront property/housing are considerably higher than for off-water property, due to high demand and limited availability in some areas.  Rentals can be difficult to obtain in some areas and prices vary by location.