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The Marine Corps' Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning Research Positions

Posted: July 19, 2010

The Marine Corps' Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning (CAOCL) anticipates posting four new positions in the coming weeks - three for researchers and one for a research assistant. Descriptions are below. These positions will be filled by a contracting company. Questions regarding pay, benefits, expected hiring timelines, working conditions, and how to apply should be directed to Mr. Rich McPherson at rmcpherson@prosol1.com.

These positions are in a start-up research capability at CAOCL in Quantico, VA. The center has a variety of research tracks. While the initial staffing is focused on area expertise, it is expected that researchers also will have opportunities to work on transnational/non-national issues, as well as the integration of social and behavioral science perspectives into a broad range of training and education decisions and programs. CAOCL plans to conduct translational research rather than purely scholarly or purely applied work. This will mean that, in addition to working in an inter-disciplinary environment, researchers will collaborate with Marines of all ranks as projects are designed, conducted, and reported. Note that these are research rather than faculty positions. While there may be opportunities for guest lecturing and other teaching, center personnel spend most of their time on research or related work and supporting CAOCL's other activities. I would be happy to discuss the center, its research tracks, and the balance between researcher independence and USMC requirements with people interested in applying. Other questions should be directed to Mr. McPherson (above).

The educational background and research interest qualifications listed below are tailored to ensure there is a good fit between the professional interests/abilities of applicants and the expected needs of USMC. Other combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

CAOCL Researcher

Note that the areas of expertise we currently are seeking include: Sub-saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Andean Ridge.

Researcher focused on [see above], with the qualifications below, to support the Center of Advanced Operational Culture Learning (CAOCL) in Quantico, VA. CAOCL is the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Center for Excellence for operational culture and language and is establishing an interdisciplinary Research Center to broaden USMC's capacity to research, analyze, and teach about cultural factors in regions where Marines operate. The Research Center conducts translational research, emphasizing collaboration with Marines in research design, execution, and outcomes. Translational research combines scholarly rigor with the need for results to be timely, relevant, and accessible to Marines.

Duties will include conducting directed and independent research, producing both applied and scholarly materials, conducting outreach within and beyond DoD, supporting CAOCL's training, education, and operational support missions, and participating in the planning, running, and content of conferences and meetings. Research Center personnel must be able to present to diverse audiences, including, but not limited to Marines of all ranks, senior government leaders scholarly audiences, and international partners.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. (with dissertation) from an accredited program in one of the following fields: Regional/Area Studies (appropriate to desired region above), Cultural Geography, Sociology, Social Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Development Studies, Urban Studies, Agricultural Economics, or Environmental Studies.

Track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals or presses.

A strong track record of research competence, including extended field research, in the specified region in at least one of the following topics:

• Community health or public health topics
• Corruption and/or cultural aspects of exchange/economies.
• Cultural aspects of conflict, warfare, the military, and/or conflict resolution
• Development trends and issues
• Diasporic issues
• Emerging religious trends
• Law and concepts of justice
• Linguistics
• Local impacts of globalization
• Migration
• Rural issues, especially security implications of trends
• Security cooperation
• Social movements or revitalization movements
• Social networks
• Transnational threats
• Transnational or subnational groups and networks
• Urbanization - impact on demographic and socio-cultural patters, security implications
• Water and other environmental issues

Demonstrated competence in one or more of the languages of the region.

Demonstrated teaching excellence.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to meet deadlines and adjust work plans to support CAOCL's response to USMC requirements.

Ability to travel.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Center personnel must be capable of close collaboration with Marines, other practitioners, and an interdisciplinary team. Candidates who have worked in inter-disciplinary or practitioner-focused settings are strongly preferred.

Center personnel must be able to translate the theories of their disciplines into practical solutions for the complex cultural challenges facing Marines today and in the future. Candidates who have conducted applied work in their field of study are strongly preferred.

Center personnel are expected to maintain and build ties to their scholarly community, as well as within government. Candidates whose activities, such as conference presentations, service in professional organizations, or collaborative projects, indicate active networks of colleagues are strongly preferred.

Center personnel work in a multi-cultural environment and build materials to assist Marines with cross-cultural interactions. Candidates who have significant experience living and working with other culture groups, through extended fieldwork, volunteering, or employment, are strongly preferred.

[These positions will be filled by a contracting company. Questions regarding pay, benefits, expected hiring timelines, working conditions, and how to apply should be directed to Mr. Rich McPherson at rmcpherson@prosol1.com.]

CAOCL Research Assistant

Note that we are seeking an individual with strong library research skills and the ability to conduct this work thoroughly with minimal/moderate supervision.

Research assistant with the qualifications below, to support the Center of Advanced Operational Culture Learning (CAOCL) in Quantico, VA. CAOCL is the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Center for Excellence for operational culture and language and is establishing an interdisciplinary Research Center to broaden USMC's capacity to research, analyze, and teach about cultural factors in regions where Marines operate. The Research Center conducts translational research, emphasizing collaboration with Marines in research design, execution, and outcomes. Translational research combines scholarly rigor with the need for results to be timely, relevant, and accessible to Marines. Duties may include supporting research staff with library research and annotated bibliographies or literature reviews; maintenance of physical and electronic reference resources and outreach contact databases; assistance with conference/meeting planning, materials development, conduct, and follow-up; assistance with the publication process, to include coordination with the Defense Automated Printing Service and Marine Corps and DoD publishers and journals; facilitating distinguished guest visits; and support for other projects as directed by CAOCL's leadership. Depending on qualifications, duties may also include participation in quantitative or qualitative analysis.

Minimum Qualifications

An undergraduate or masters degree from an accredited program in regional studies, or a social or behavioral science, including formal training in research methods, as evidenced by transcripts or training records. If undergraduate, a degree involving a senior thesis is preferred.

1-2 years work experience as a research assistant in an organization focused on social or behavioral science or regional studies or in a library setting.

Mastery of MS Word and Outlook, and familiarity with at least one desktop database application (such as Filemaker or Access).

Mastery of library research techniques including use of scholarly databases.

Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail.

Ability to manage personal work flow in a fast-paced, inter-disciplinary environment.

Ability to carry out routine tasks and meet deadlines independently.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of bibliographic software (such as EndNote or RefWorks), and/or statistical software (such as SPSS) and/or ethnographic software (such as NVivo or ATLASti) is strongly preferred.

Experience in one or more of the following qualitative or quantitative research methods is strongly preferred: survey research design and methods, statistical analysis, qualitative and quantitative interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research, mapping techniques and geographical analytical methods, and/or narrative or linguistic analysis.

Experience in developing instructional materials is preferred.

Center personnel must be capable of close collaboration with Marines, other practitioners, and an interdisciplinary team. Candidates with a track record of work in applied and/or interdisciplinary settings are strongly preferred.

Center personnel work in a multi-cultural environment and build materials to assist Marines with cross-cultural interactions. Candidates who have experience living and working with other culture groups, through fieldwork, volunteering, or employment, are strongly preferred.

[This positions will be filled by a contracting company. Questions regarding pay, benefits, expected hiring timelines, working conditions, and how to apply should be directed to Mr. Rich McPherson at rmcpherson@prosol1.com.]

Job Posting: Marine Corps University Horner Chair of Military Theory

Posted: March 15, 2010

The Marine Corps University is seeking applicants for the Major General Matthew C. Horner Chair of Military Theory for Academic Years 2011 and 2012. The Chair, endowed by the Marine Corps University Foundation, provides the University a resident scholar with expertise in military history, national security affairs, international relations or the military arts. In addition to leading seminars at the University's colleges, the Horner Chair teaches a graduate-level elective at the University's Command and Staff College. The incumbent will also be expected to conduct significant research that will lead to the publication of a major scholarly work on a topic of the occupant's choosing as well as publication of professional papers based on research conducted while occupying the Horner Chair.

For more information about this two-year appointment:
Please visit: http://www.mcu.usmc.mil/Pages/Jobs.aspx or send inquiries to: mcu_web_inquiries@usmc.mil.