Postdoctoral Researcher/Research Assistant, Forest carbon mapping and land use scenario modeling

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

 

SUMMARY: Woods Hole Research Center seeks a postdoctoral fellow or research assistant to participate in projects focused on mapping and monitoring carbon in tropical forests, incorporating field forest inventories with satellite observations (optical/radar/lidar) and development of land use scenarios and associated carbon emissions. The successful candidate will work closely with the principal investigator and collaborators in Africa, applying satellite observations to improve tropical forest characterization, monitoring and carbon management in the tropics. This position requires advanced remote sensing experience and knowledge of the DINAMICA modeling platform, 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
• engage in a highly collaborative environment to analyze, synthesize, and present results
• advance analysis of forest disturbances
• perform complex geoprocessing, frequently beyond the ‘push-button’ approach
• participate in capacity building and technology transfer in tropical countries, with a focus on Africa

Qualifications and Experience:

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Forestry, Biology, Geography, Computer Science and/or a related discipline
• Demonstrated ability using earth observation imagery and a demonstrated ability to write scripts, conduct spatial analysis and manage databases
• Demonstrated ability using a variety of software/geospatial tools and possess the ability to continuously learn new technical skills as needed
• Processing multi-sensor imagery for mapping applications
• Digital image processing software packages (Erdas, Imagine, Idrisi, ENVI/IDL, or open source alternatives)
• Working with forestry data sets
• 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)
• Knowledge of dinamica modeling platform
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a constantly evolving environment
• French language skills desirable (French)

Appointment: 3-year appointment

Application deadline: December 31, 2012

Desired Start Date: January 2013

Salary Range: $45,000 to $55,000, with full benefit package, exempt position

Application Instructions: Please refer to job #FCMRA12 and email cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to: .