Social Science Research and Testbed Support Specialist (Scientist IV)

FWI (FedWriters, Inc.)

Norman (OK)

Hybrid

USD 83,000 - 87,000

Full time

37 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

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Long-term Disability Insurance

Short-term Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Holiday Pay

Paid Time Off

Job summary

FWI (FedWriters, Inc.) seeks a Social Science Research and Testbed Support Specialist to lead qualitative and mixed-methods research supporting NSSL. You will design interviews, focus groups, and surveys to study how forecasters and decision-makers use experimental severe weather forecasts and participate in the Hazardous Weather Testbed and related activities.

Hybrid, full-time position based at Norman, OK with occasional field deployments.

Qualifications

MA/MS or higher in a social science-related field (PhD preferred).
8+ years of professional or academic experience.
Experience designing and conducting qualitative or mixed-methods research.

Responsibilities

Design and implement qualitative and mixed-methods research studies addressing hazardous weather forecasting, warning communication, and decision-making.
Develop interview protocols, focus group guides, survey instruments, and related materials.
Conduct in-person and virtual interviews with forecasters, emergency managers, decision-makers, and stakeholders.
Facilitate stakeholder engagement activities to evaluate forecast tools and workflows.
Collaborate with scientists and developers to design evaluation strategies for forecasting tools.
Analyze qualitative and mixed-methods datasets using established methodologies and software.
Synthesize findings into actionable recommendations for product development and procedures.

Education

MA/MS in a social science discipline, geography, meteorology, communication, psychology, sociology, emergency management, human factors, or a related field (PhD preferred)

Job description

Overview

Great forecasts don't help anyone if people don't understand or trust them. As FWI's Social Science Research and Testbed Support Specialist supporting NSSL, you will design and lead qualitative and mixed-methods research — interviews, focus groups, surveys — to evaluate how forecasters, emergency managers, and other decision-makers use experimental severe weather forecasts . Your work with the Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT), other operational testbeds, and observational fieldwork will directly shape how new forecast and warning technologies are built, tested, and communicated, bridging the physical science of severe weather with the human side of decision‑making.

Overview

Work Schedule and Location

Hybrid: This full-time hybrid position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM CST to 5 PM CST, with 90% at National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations.

Responsibilities

Design and implement qualitative and mixed-methods research studies to address questions related to hazardous weather forecasting, warning communication, and decision-making
Develop interview protocols, focus group guides, survey instruments, and associated research materials based on project objectives and scientific research questions
Conduct in-person and virtual interviews with operational forecasters, emergency managers, decision-makers, and other stakeholders before, during, or following significant weather events
Facilitate focus groups, workshops, and user engagement activities to evaluate emerging forecast and warning technologies, products, and services
Support Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT) and other operational testbed activities by assisting with experiment design, participant coordination, facilitation, note-taking, and transcription
Collaborate with physical scientists, developers, and operational partners to design effective social science evaluation strategies for experimental forecasting tools and workflows
Analyze qualitative and mixed-methods datasets using established social science methodologies and software tools
Synthesize findings into actionable recommendations that inform forecast product development, operational procedures, and decision-support services
Ensure all research activities comply with applicable human subjects protections and institutional review board (IRB) requirements, including protocol development, participant consent procedures, and data management practices
Prepare technical documentation, research summaries, and project reports supporting ongoing research and evaluation activities
Contribute to quarterly and annual project reporting requirements
Lead or contribute to peer-reviewed publications and present research findings at scientific conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings

Required Qualifications

MA/MS in a social science discipline, geography, meteorology, communication, psychology, sociology, emergency management, human factors, or a related field (PhD preferred)
8+ years of professional or academic experience

Desired

Experience designing and conducting qualitative or mixed-methods research, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys
Knowledge of social science research methodologies and qualitative data analysis techniques
Experience developing research protocols, interview guides, focus group procedures, and survey instruments
Familiarity with human subjects research requirements, including IRB processes, participant protections, and ethical research practices
Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement activities, workshops, focus groups, or operational testbed experiments
Demonstrated ability to collect, organize, analyze, and synthesize qualitative and mixed-methods datasets
Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications
Ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary teams of social scientists, physical scientists, software developers, and operational practitioners
Willingness and ability to conduct in-person research activities, including field interviews, workshops, and testbed experiments

Work Setting And Environment

Primary location: National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations
Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays; field data-collection activities may require irregular hours during active severe weather events
Remote work arrangements must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR); on-site presence may be required based on mission, field operations, collaboration, or security needs
Local and non-local travel may be required, not anticipated to exceed 5% annually; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance
Must complete an online IT security awareness course within one week of starting work
Foreign national candidates are subject to export control review and require CO/COR approval prior to consideration
Government-furnished equipment provided, including access to HPC resources, specialized mobile observation platforms, laboratory test equipment, computers, and office workspace, as applicable

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

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