|
The Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) Network seeks a quantitative tropical forest ecologist at the postdoctoral level to conduct research and analyses using existing data from the TEAM Network on biodiversity (trees, lianas, vertebrates), land cover/land use change, climate, productivity and carbon storage in tropical forests to advance understanding of the dynamics or spatial patterns of tropical forest biodiversity and its implications for conservation practice and policy. Potential research foci include (but are not restricted to): the relationship between patterns of plant and animal diversity at local, regional and global scales, and implications of these relationships for conservation practice and policy; what are the implications of increasing climate variability and/or non-analog climates for plant or animal communities in tropical forests, and how do these vary among continents?
Requirements for this position are 1) a strong background/interest in tropical forest ecology, 2) advanced statistical modeling skills (including preferably Hierarchical Bayesian Modeling), 3) ability to analyze and manage large data sets in R, Matlab or similar analytical environments, 4) ability to work collaboratively with others as well as independently, and 5) demonstrated ability to plan and write manuscripts and follow through to the publication stage.
The individual in this position is expected to develop at least two analysis papers using Network-wide data to be published in high impact journals in collaboration with other scientists across the TEAM Network, in particular with TEAM’s Technical Committee members (Technical Liaisons, Technical Director) and other field-based TEAM scientists across the Network. The position will be based at an institution to be determined. One year of funding is secured for this position with a possible one-year renewal.
About the TEAM Network
The TEAM Network is a unique global monitoring network for tropical forests. Using standardized, high-quality field and remote sensing methods, Network partners collect repeated measurements of tree and liana diversity, carbon storage, terrestrial vertebrate diversity using camera traps, climate, land use change, and land use change drivers. The data are curated and managed in a central location, from which they are made publicly available in near-real-time through the TEAM web portal.
The ultimate goal of the TEAM Network is to provide near-real-time data on the status of tropical forests to advance our understanding of tropical forest dynamics and to inform conservation practice and policy. The TEAM Network is comprised of three core partners (Conservation International, Smithsonian Institution, Wildlife Conservation Society and the Missouri Botanical Garden) and many local partners. The Network currently operates at 16 sites in 14 countries distributed across all three major continental tropical forests blocks in Latin America, Africa, and South East Asia.
The TEAM Network now has up to ten years of data from its sites and is in a position to rigorously test the data for relationships among biodiversity, climate, and land use change longitudinally and within and across sites and regions. We seek an ambitious and talented post-doctoral associate to be dedicated to the task of leading analyses and publishing papers in high impact journals with support from TEAM Network members.
For more information about the TEAM Network visit http://www.teamnetwork.org.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct research using existing data from across the TEAM Network to advance understanding of the dynamics or spatial patterns of tropical forest biodiversity and their implications for conservation practice and policy
- Analyze, synthesize and present results in the form of at least two peer-reviewed publications as lead author, in collaboration with others.
- Collaborate with other scientists across the TEAM Network and externally and contribute to reports, protocols and web-based materials.
Working Conditions:
- This position is based in CI Headquarters in Arlington, VA.
- Some travel, including international travel, may be required to attend meetings and conferences.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- PhD in ecology, conservation biology, computational ecology, forest ecology, or related field;
- Understanding of current theories and controversies about biodiversity patterns and processes in tropical forests;
- Advanced statistical skills;
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize and analyze large data sets using R, Matlab or similar analytical environments;
- Demonstrated ability to plan and write manuscripts and efficiently follow through to the peer-reivewed publication stage;
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with others.
Preferred:
- Experience with Hierarchical Bayesian Modeling;
- Background in tropical forest ecology;
- Experience with remote sensing applications for monitoring climate variability.
|
