Research Assistant III

Full Time Professional Hybrid

3 days ago Requisition

Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) 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 global non-profit, working at the intersection of science and decision-making. We are built on a foundation of world-class research with the drive to take action and contribute real-world solutions - partnering with communities, businesses and policymakers to protect life and livelihoods from the devastating impacts of climate change. Founded in 1985 by world-renowned ecologist George Woodwell, our organization is headquartered in Falmouth, MA with over 150 employees.

Summary:

Join Woodwell’s Research department as a Research Assistant III. The successful candidate will support a range of projects broadly focused on supporting research to more effectively and comprehensively quantify the benefits of global forests, including climate (carbon and non-carbon), social, and economic benefits, with the ultimate goal of halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation. Geographic areas of emphasis include the dense-humid tropical forests of the Amazon and Congo basins and the mature old-growth forests of the temperate United States.

This position works closely with the lead scientist, fellow team members, and external collaborators/partners on projects supported by a range of funders, including government, foundation, and private sources.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Process and analyze large, multi-temporal satellite image and derivative raster data sets.

Understand large databases of field-measured and remote sensing derived variables.

Perform complex geoprocessing tasks, including mathematical and statistical computations utilizing Cloud-based resources (e.g., Google Cloud).

Conduct accuracy/uncertainty/sensitivity analyses.

Assume project management responsibilities delegated by the supervisor.

Travel occasionally in support of research dissemination and/or capacity building/training activities.

Contribute to reports, peer-reviewed publications, web-based materials, grant proposals and participate in capacity building and technology transfer.

Generate maps and other graphics for proposals, presentations, and publications.

Support development and maintenance of geospatial web platforms.

Participate in project meetings, communicating progress, results, analytical challenges, and methodological decisions clearly and concisely.

Share progress with project partners including members of local NGOs and Indigenous organizations.

Conduct research in a highly collaborative environment to analyze, synthesize, and present results, including verbal presentations with minimal oversight.

Must have the Following

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrated expertise using multi-temporal/multi-sensor Earth observation data for large-area measurement and mapping of forest biophysical variables

Experience with field, airborne LiDAR, Landsat, MODIS, and/or VIIRS datasets

Knowledge of tropical forests and the measurement/monitoring of forest area/structure

Familiarity with tropical forest ecosystems, particularly across the Amazon and Congo basins

Strong data science, machine learning and/or statistical analysis skills

A solid background in programming for geospatial analysis using Python, R, or other languages

Proficiency using GIS software such as Google Earth Engine, QGIS, and/or ArcGIS

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

Documented experience in scientific writing and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Superior communication, networking, interpersonal, and organizational skills

Strong quantitative reasoning, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills

Willingness to travel about 5% of the time

Ability to engage professionally with research partners from different institutional and cultural contexts

Qualifications:

BA/BS degree plus 3+ years’ experience or

MA/MS degree in related field plus 1+ years’ experience, or

Physical Requirements:

In the office:

• 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

In the field, the physical requirements of this role include:

• Air, train, vehicle travel to access field…