Postdoctoral Researcher; Carbon Monitoring US Rangelands

Job Description

Mission:
Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Summary/Objective:
Join Woodwell Climate’s soil carbon team as a Postdoctoral Researcher working on a multi-year project developing and deploying a carbon monitoring system for conservation practices across the Northern Great Plains Ecoregion. This position is part of a large team that includes researchers, conservation practitioners, and rangeland managers at National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund and Columbia University.

The successful candidate will improve, parameterize, and implement a high-performance computing (HPC) platform-based modeling system which leverages remote sensing imagery, field measurements, and survey datasets with both machine learning and process-based models.

Responsibilities include but not limited:

• Collaborate on improvements to the Rangeland Carbon Tracking and Monitoring tool
• Liaise with project partners across institutions
• Efficiently process and downscale spatial and remote sensing data products from multiple platforms
• Adapt and refine code for carbon cycle model
• Develop an efficient pipeline for implementing the model at scale (millions of acres)
• Develop a web application for the public to access the model
• Lead the development of manuscripts describing model development and application

Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems
• Experience improving and implementing carbon cycle models
• Strong data science skills including proficiency in spatial data analysis
• Strong coding skills using R and Python (C/C++ or Fortran a plus)
• Experience with cloud-computing and Google Earth Engine
• Superior oral and written communication and networking skills
• Ability to work as a member of a highly collaborative team in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with management of working lands a preferred
• Experience with machine learning / artificial intelligence a preferred
• Willingness to travel about 10% of time

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. (granted or expected soon) in Soil Science, Environmental Data Science, Earth System Science, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting
• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Ability to communicate, verbally and written
• Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items
• Ability to use phone and computers
• Repetitive movements

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are primarily conducted indoors, but occasional travel to meet with project partners and visits to field sites (i.e. ranches in the Northern Great Plains) will be required.

Hours of Work:

• This role is paid on a salaried, exempt, basis.
• Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However, this is a salaried position. Therefore, the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position. This may mean weekend hours and/or hours beyond 40 per week.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Desired

Start Date:

August 1, 2024

Fixed-term:
This position is for one-year with the potential to extend for two additional years dependent upon performance and availability of funds.

Classification and Compensation:
This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range starting at $69,000 dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location:

Falmouth, Massachusetts or remote.

Woodwell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.