Social Science Research and Testbed Support Specialist (Scientist IV)

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.

 

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

Qualifications:

Required: 

• 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

Why Join Our Team:

 

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Pay Range:

$83,000.00 to $87,000.00