Research Associate; data science​/rangelands

Woodwell Climate Research Center seeks a Research Associate for a 2-year project focused on ecosystem carbon model simulations in U.S. rangelands. Responsibilities include leading model simulations, processing geospatial data, and developing reports. Candidates should have strong data science skills, experience with HPC and cloud computing, and proficiency in Python. A Master's degree or equivalent experience is required. The role involves collaboration and some travel.

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. Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Join Woodwell Climate’s Rangeland team as a Research Associate on a 2-year project focused on applying ecosystem carbon model simulations for conservation practices within U.S. rangeland systems, including those in Montana and Colorado. The successful candidate will work closely with partners at the WWF and Columbia University, and will interact with ranch managers and other collaborators. The successful candidate will lead model simulations within an HPC environment, and may assist the team with model structural improvements, optimization, and parameterizations.

The candidate will help process remote sensing and geospatial data, will lead model verification using field and lab data, will compute change detection analyses and data summary statistics. The successful candidate will develop reports for ranch managers, and will organize/co‑lead a workshop in Montana for participating ranch managers.

• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated a record of successful original research
• Cloud computing and HPC
• Experience improving and implementing process models
• Strong data science skills including proficiency in spatial data analysis
• Familiarity with different gridded geospatial data formats (NetCDF and Zarr)
• Experience using version control (Git, Git Hub)
• Experience developing code within a Unix/Linux environment
• Strong coding skills using Python (R, Julia, C/C++ or other languages a plus)
• Superior oral and written communication and networking skills
• Ability to work as a member of a highly collaborative team in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to travel about 5% of time

• 3+ years’ experience with a Master’s degree in Environmental Data Science, Earth System Science, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline or 5+ years experience, appropriate for the requirements of the job with a bachelor’s degree or
• Ph.D. (granted or expected soon) in Environmental Data Science, Earth System Science, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline

• 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

The functions of this role are primarily conducted indoors, but travel to organize a workshop within Montana is required.

This role is paid on a salaried, exempt basis.…