IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a $430 million dollar observatory project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. For the next three decades NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. NEON will use cutting edge technology including an airborne observation platform that will capture images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, re-locatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who will observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. A leading edge cyber-infrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information. The Observatory will grow to 300+ personnel and will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
Summary:
The Fundamental Instrument Unit (FIU) consists of an automated suite of meteorological, atmospheric, soil and eco-physiological measurements.
The position will support Science project development and management activities.
The FIU is responsible for developing innovative data products and QA/QC algorithms, sensor deployment in the field, a mobile sensor platform, field procedures, training materials for field staff, and performing (new) site designs and ongoing technology assessments. This position will assure our site designs are realized in the field with minimal impact; key responsibilities will be contingent on the skills and experience of the candidate.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assure complex site designs are constructed to meet scientific rigor and integrity.
• Design field studies, with consideration to best practices in experimental design.
• Coordinate, design and execute innovative procedures in a dynamic, ever-changing field environment.
• Apply specific area of expertise and knowledge and apply it to a dynamic, challenging Observatory-based design.
• Communicate key science issues and technical transfer to non-experts.
• Coordinate FIU dataflow with other related NEON groups.
• Follow NEON and site specific environmental protection requirements, policy and procedures.
Education:
• Graduate degree in an environmental science field (e.g., biometeorology, ecosystem science, micrometeorology, soil ecology) or a related field.
• Recent PhD graduates may apply (this is not a post-doc position).
Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
• Five (5) or more years’ experience in ecosystem science, restoration ecology, applied forestry, soil scientist, meteorological- or eco-physiological-related work.
• Experience delivering a final product from concept through testing to completion.
• The ability to work across teams with a demonstrated breadth of skills and experience.
• Experience working in a collaborative scientific or engineering enterprise.
• Very effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work very effectively with diverse teams.
• Ability to move equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Depending on site assignments, ability to travel/ hike/walk on uneven terrain to work site.
• Ability to travel up to 75% time to remote research locations across the US and in Puerto Rico.
• Critical thinking, scientific writing and review,.
• Ability to travel (extensively), which includes travel to conferences.
• Very effective problem-solving and communication skills, and ability to effectively apply experience, judgment, and creativity to both short- and long-term challenges,
• Ability to create new opportunities within this field and use novel methods, analyses and approaches to tackle continental-scale research.
• Desired community knowledge base of field sensing, and field-based experimental design.
• Current and valid State issued driver’s license with clean Department of Motor Vehicle record (parking violations, minor driving offenses excluded) as determined by NEON’s insurance provider.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
• Experience with setting up experiment design,
• Knowledge of a wide range of ecosystem structural attributes and how they control function,
• Knowledge of a wide range field sensors and measurement techniques,
• Experience with environmental impact assessments,
• Arborist skills or license.
• Contract management experience.
• Environmental consultation experience.
• Critical thinking, scientific writing and review.
• Very effective problem-solving and communication skills, and ability to effectively apply experience, judgment, and creativity to both short- and long-term challenges.
• Ability to create new opportunities within this field and use novel methods, analyses and approaches to tackle continental-scale research.
• Desired community knowledge base of field sensing, and field-based experimental design.
Physical Abilities:
Ability to move equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 lbs., with and without assistance.
