Job Openings at the Woods Hole Research Center

Research Assistants / Post-Doctoral Researchers

The Woods Hole Research Center has positions open for Research Assistants and Post-doctoral Researchers with experience and responsibilities in remote sensing and programming to monitor and analyze land-use change and to model ecosystem responses to climate change.

The Center invites applications for the following four positions:

Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher - U.S. Forests
Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher - High Latitude Ecosystems
Research Associate / Post-Doctoral Researcher - Global Carbon Monitoring
Post-Doctoral Position - Africa

1) Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher - U.S. Forests

SUMMARY: Position reports, initially, to the Principal Investigator, Carbon Program, and to other Principal Investigators as appropriate. Responsibilities are in ecological modeling, data management, computer programming, and image processing and analysis. Initial geographic focus is in the northeastern U.S. The position supports projects that use ecosystem models and information on changes in land cover and management to assess changes in carbon storage. The research assistant/associate will be expected to process and manipulate spatial data sets, develop algorithms and source code as needed, and work with a group of scientists to conduct model simulations, analyze and synthesize results, assess accuracy/uncertainties, and present results, including verbal and written presentations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist in developing and/or applying regional, spatially explicit, ecosystem carbon models
Manage, analyze, and use large spatial data sets
Assist in the preparation of reports and publications
Other tasks as agreed upon in the course of the research

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: This position requires a master’s degree (or bachelor’s degree with experience) in ecology, forestry, environmental science, or geography.

Skills: Data management and programming skills (IDL, R, and C++) are preferred.

Experience: Experience with modeling biomass and carbon in forest ecosystems is sought. Experience with forest ecology; forestry; land use; data analysis; GIS; and remote sensing is preferred. Knowledge of forests in northern mid-latitudes is also preferred but not required. Experience with statistics, including geostatistics and spatial statistics, will be useful.

Application deadline: May 9, 2008
Start: June 2008

**** Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to

2) Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher - High Latitude Ecosystems

SUMMARY:Position reports to the Principal Investigator, with research focused on ecosystem responses to climate change at high latitudes. Responsibilities are remote sensing and programming for analyses of ecosystem change and informing ecosystem models. Work area includes circumpolar ecosystems with field work in Alaska.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This position supports projects related to the use of remote sensing imagery in models of vegetation carbon exchange. The candidate will be expected to help develop and analyze model simulations, including algorithms and source code as needed, incorporate satellite image data products into models, and assess accuracy/uncertainty. The candidate will work within a group to synthesize, publish, present, and otherwise disseminate results, including development of products for distribution via the Internet and oral presentation of findings. Other tasks as agreed upon in the course of the research.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:This position requires a Ph.D. or Master’s degree with relevant experience. Background in biophysical ecology and environmental science desirable.

Experience:

Essential: Knowledge of modeling ecosystem carbon exchange, and familiarity current terrestrial carbon models and satellite image data / products.
Skills: Programming (IDL, R, C++), modeling, remote sensing.
Desired: Time series analysis, www page development.

Other qualifications: Spoken and written fluency in the English language; strong desire to communicate results to general and scientific audiences; highly collaborative work style.

Application deadline: May 9, 2008
Start: June 2008

**** Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to

3) Research Associate / Post-Doctoral Researcher - Global Carbon Monitoring

SUMMARY: Position reports to the Principal Investigator with research focused on analysis of regional to global scale remote sensing data sets from radar, optical, and lidar sensors for classification and estimation of vegetation biophysical properties.

RESPONSIBILITIES:This position will support projects related to the spatially explicit estimation of carbon flux from fusion of radar, optical, and lidar remote sensing imagery and forest inventory data. The candidate will be expected to help develop and analyze interferometric and polarimetric radar data (ALOS/PALSAR), multi-spectral optical data, and lidar data, including algorithms and source code as needed. The candidate will work within a group to synthesize, publish, present, and otherwise disseminate results, including development of products for distribution via the Internet and oral presentation of findings. Other tasks as agreed upon in the course of the research.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: This position requires a Ph.D. or Masters degree with relevant experience. Background in biophysical ecology and environmental science, or engineering with a background in natural resources is desirable.

Experience:

Essential: Advanced knowledge of remote sensing with high-resolution radar and optical imagery; lidar experience preferable.
Skills: Programming (IDL, R, C/C++, Unix/Linux shell scripting), modeling, remote sensing,
Desired:Statistical fusion approaches, www page development; ease with working in a parallel computing cluster environment.

Other qualifications: Spoken and written fluency in the English language; strong desire to communicate results to general and scientific audiences; highly collaborative work style.

Application deadline: May 9, 2008
Start: June 2008

**** Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to

4) Post-Doctoral Position - Africa

SUMMARY: One year post-doctoral research position reports to the Principal Investigator, with responsibilities in remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) data analysis and WebGIS development in support of a land-use change and ecosystem/carbon dynamics and conservation monitoring system in Africa.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with the development of methods to map land cover/land use change, deforestation, biomass/carbon stocks, and model species distributions using satellite imagery for projects in East and Central Africa. Maintain GIS databases for protected area conservation. Travel to Africa 3-5 weeks annually to assist with remote sensing/GIS training workshops, data collections, and support of African partners.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Ph.D. with relevant work experience. Background in biology, ecology, geography, environmental, or earth science.

Required: Experience in remote sensing and GIS with an emphasis on the manipulation and processing of satellite image data and associated algorithm development.

Preferred: French speaker. Knowledge in the areas of multivariate statistics and computer programming in support of geospatial analyses.

Software skills: Must be competent in the use of one or more of the following software packages: ERDAS Imagine, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Server, ENVI, eCognition, and/or PCI Geomatics. Familiarity with R, Python, and/or IDL programming and Unix/Linux batch scripting a plus.

Application deadline: May 9, 2008
Start: June 2008

**** Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to

The Woods Hole Research Center's emphasis in research is on ecosystems and includes such global issues as biotic impoverishment, climate change, sustainable development, and the role of biotic resources in support of contemporary civilization. Interest and activities extend to the interactions of science and public affairs, nationally and internationally.
Equal Opportunity Employer.


Expand All \| Collapse All Whos Who Diversity Experts Directory Staff Bios Staff CVs Trustees Visiting Scholars	Job Openings at the Woods Hole Research Center Research Assistants / Post-Doctoral Researchers The Woods Hole Research Center has positions open for Research Assistants and Post-doctoral Researchers with experience and responsibilities in remote sensing and programming to monitor and analyze land-use change and to model ecosystem responses to climate change. The Center invites applications for the following four positions: Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher - U.S. Forests Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher - High Latitude Ecosystems Research Associate / Post-Doctoral Researcher - Global Carbon Monitoring Post-Doctoral Position - Africa 1) Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher - U.S. Forests SUMMARY: Position reports, initially, to the Principal Investigator, Carbon Program, and to other Principal Investigators as appropriate. Responsibilities are in ecological modeling, data management, computer programming, and image processing and analysis. Initial geographic focus is in the northeastern U.S. The position supports projects that use ecosystem models and information on changes in land cover and management to assess changes in carbon storage. The research assistant/associate will be expected to process and manipulate spatial data sets, develop algorithms and source code as needed, and work with a group of scientists to conduct model simulations, analyze and synthesize results, assess accuracy/uncertainties, and present results, including verbal and written presentations. RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist in developing and/or applying regional, spatially explicit, ecosystem carbon models Manage, analyze, and use large spatial data sets Assist in the preparation of reports and publications Other tasks as agreed upon in the course of the research QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Education: This position requires a master’s degree (or bachelor’s degree with experience) in ecology, forestry, environmental science, or geography. Skills: Data management and programming skills (IDL, R, and C++) are preferred. Experience: Experience with modeling biomass and carbon in forest ecosystems is sought. Experience with forest ecology; forestry; land use; data analysis; GIS; and remote sensing is preferred. Knowledge of forests in northern mid-latitudes is also preferred but not required. Experience with statistics, including geostatistics and spatial statistics, will be useful. Application deadline: May 9, 2008 Start: June 2008 ** Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to 2) Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher - High Latitude Ecosystems SUMMARY:Position reports to the Principal Investigator, with research focused on ecosystem responses to climate change at high latitudes. Responsibilities are remote sensing and programming for analyses of ecosystem change and informing ecosystem models. Work area includes circumpolar ecosystems with field work in Alaska. RESPONSIBILITIES: This position supports projects related to the use of remote sensing imagery in models of vegetation carbon exchange. The candidate will be expected to help develop and analyze model simulations, including algorithms and source code as needed, incorporate satellite image data products into models, and assess accuracy/uncertainty. The candidate will work within a group to synthesize, publish, present, and otherwise disseminate results, including development of products for distribution via the Internet and oral presentation of findings. Other tasks as agreed upon in the course of the research. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Education:This position requires a Ph.D. or Master’s degree with relevant experience. Background in biophysical ecology and environmental science desirable. Experience: Essential: Knowledge of modeling ecosystem carbon exchange, and familiarity current terrestrial carbon models and satellite image data / products. Skills: Programming (IDL, R, C++), modeling, remote sensing. Desired: Time series analysis, www page development. Other qualifications: Spoken and written fluency in the English language; strong desire to communicate results to general and scientific audiences; highly collaborative work style. Application deadline: May 9, 2008 Start: June 2008 Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to 3) Research Associate / Post-Doctoral Researcher - Global Carbon Monitoring SUMMARY: Position reports to the Principal Investigator with research focused on analysis of regional to global scale remote sensing data sets from radar, optical, and lidar sensors for classification and estimation of vegetation biophysical properties. RESPONSIBILITIES:This position will support projects related to the spatially explicit estimation of carbon flux from fusion of radar, optical, and lidar remote sensing imagery and forest inventory data. The candidate will be expected to help develop and analyze interferometric and polarimetric radar data (ALOS/PALSAR), multi-spectral optical data, and lidar data, including algorithms and source code as needed. The candidate will work within a group to synthesize, publish, present, and otherwise disseminate results, including development of products for distribution via the Internet and oral presentation of findings. Other tasks as agreed upon in the course of the research. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Education: This position requires a Ph.D. or Masters degree with relevant experience. Background in biophysical ecology and environmental science, or engineering with a background in natural resources is desirable. Experience: Essential: Advanced knowledge of remote sensing with high-resolution radar and optical imagery; lidar experience preferable. Skills: Programming (IDL, R, C/C++, Unix/Linux shell scripting), modeling, remote sensing, Desired:Statistical fusion approaches, www page development; ease with working in a parallel computing cluster environment. Other qualifications: Spoken and written fluency in the English language; strong desire to communicate results to general and scientific audiences; highly collaborative work style. Application deadline: May 9, 2008 Start: June 2008 Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to 4) Post-Doctoral Position - Africa SUMMARY: One year post-doctoral research position reports to the Principal Investigator, with responsibilities in remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) data analysis and WebGIS development in support of a land-use change and ecosystem/carbon dynamics and conservation monitoring system in Africa. RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with the development of methods to map land cover/land use change, deforestation, biomass/carbon stocks, and model species distributions using satellite imagery for projects in East and Central Africa. Maintain GIS databases for protected area conservation. Travel to Africa 3-5 weeks annually to assist with remote sensing/GIS training workshops, data collections, and support of African partners. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Education: Ph.D. with relevant work experience. Background in biology, ecology, geography, environmental, or earth science. Required: Experience in remote sensing and GIS with an emphasis on the manipulation and processing of satellite image data and associated algorithm development. Preferred: French speaker. Knowledge in the areas of multivariate statistics and computer programming in support of geospatial analyses. Software skills: Must be competent in the use of one or more of the following software packages: ERDAS Imagine, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Server, ENVI, eCognition, and/or PCI Geomatics. Familiarity with R, Python, and/or IDL programming and Unix/Linux batch scripting a plus. Application deadline: May 9, 2008 Start: June 2008 ** Application Instructions: To apply, send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to The Woods Hole Research Center's emphasis in research is on ecosystems and includes such global issues as biotic impoverishment, climate change, sustainable development, and the role of biotic resources in support of contemporary civilization. Interest and activities extend to the interactions of science and public affairs, nationally and internationally. Equal Opportunity Employer.
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