Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Assistant, Remote Sensing

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

SUMMARY: The Woods Hole Research Center seeks a postdoctoral researcher or a Research Assistant to coordinate or assist with processing of remote sensing data sets for research projects focused on 1) mapping and monitoring carbon in forests, primarily in the tropics, incorporating field forest inventories with satellite observations (optical/radar/lidar), 2) Species suitability mapping in Africa and 3) Deforestation scenario modeling in Africa. The successful candidate will work closely with the principle investigator and collaborators, applying satellite observations to improve tropical forest characterization, monitoring and improve carbon and forest management in the tropics. This position requires advanced remote sensing experience, including the ability to manipulate large data sets using personally developed scripts.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will:

• Conduct research on remote sensing data fusion and the development of robust algorithms integrating ground, and airborne data, at local to national scale for forest carbon mapping and carbon change
• engage in a highly collaborative environment to analyze, synthesize, and present results
• advance analysis of forest disturbance/carbon change, species suitability mapping and deforestation modeling
• perform complex geoprocessing, frequently beyond the ‘push-button’ approach
• participate in capacity building and technology transfer in tropical countries

Qualifications and Experience:

• Ph.D. degree or Master of Science in Environmental Science, Forestry, Biology, Geography, Computer Science and/or a related discipline, with experience using earth observation imagery and a demonstrated ability to write scripts, conduct spatial analysis and manage databases.  Applicants should be confident in using a variety of software/geospatial tools and possess the ability to continuously learn new technical skills as needed.
• Experience in processing multi-sensor imagery for mapping applications
• Experience in digital image processing software packages (Erdas, Imagine, Idrisi, ENVI/IDL, or open source alternatives)
• Experience working with forestry data sets, biodiversity data sets, DINAMICA and MAXENT
• Geospatial script writing (Python, R, gdal, C/C#, SQL, Perl, Java, and AML also useful)
• Experience in performing GIS tasks in a multi-operating system environment(Windows/Linux/Mac/Solaris)
• Ability to work well alone and as part of a team in a constantly evolving environment
• Knowledge of French desired but not required

Appointment: This is a two-year appointment.

Application deadline: August 15th, 2011

Desired Start Date: ASAP

Salary Range: $45,000 to $50,000, with full benefit package, exempt position