Research Foundation Postdoctoral Associate - Sustainable Resources Management

Location : Syracuse, NY Category : Research Foundation Posted On : Tue Jul 30 2024 Job Description :

Title : Postdoctoral Associate

Unit : Sustainable Resources Management

Duration : Renewed annually for up to five years.

Location : Location is negotiable, for remote workers some domestic travel (primarily within New York State) will be required.

Salary : $55,000 - $70,000 (based on experience)

Position Description

The CAFRI postdoctoral associate will lead geospatial modeling and analysis efforts for the purpose of statewide forest carbon monitoring and related applications across New York State (NYS). Building on the modeling framework developed in CAFRI's New York Forest Carbon Assessment, the postdoctoral associate will oversee the models, workflows and data product applications needed for measurement, monitoring, verification, and reporting (MMRV) of forest-based climate benefits across NYS. The scientist will contribute both creatively and practically to the design and application of forest MMRV methods, outputs, and tools. This role provides an excellent opportunity to become an innovator and leader at the nexus of the rapidly growing fields of environmental data science and natural climate solutions. The scientist's role and duties will be focused on the USDA-funded Climate Smart Commodities project known as 'NY Connects', which will promote landowner adoption of climate-smart forestry practices and monitor their benefits / outcomes across NYS, working closely with a project team composed of university, state agency, industry and forest landowner collaborators. Duties also include manuscript and report preparation, conference presentations, informal mentorship of student researchers, and overall project management support. As time permits, the scientist will be encouraged to pursue their own research interests and expand their scope of skills and experiences. The postdoctoral associate reports to the CAFRI Director and although in-person (on campus) is preferred, the scientist has the option of working remotely but will be required to travel domestically about 10-20 days each year.

Primary Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to) :

Co-leading the conceptual and practical aspects of applying broad-scale carbon monitoring models and map / data products to forest land MMRV for 'NY Connects' project and related efforts.

Training and testing machine-learning (ML) models of forest biomass and carbon stock-changes and evaluating their outputs (e.g., map products) for overall accuracy and uncertainty.

Collaborating with 'NY Connects' personnel to innovate and implement forest MMRV methods via integration of landscape-scale carbon monitoring models with field-based site-specific monitoring based on conventional mensuration and 'precision forestry' techniques (e.g., ground-based LIDAR)

Compiling and managing data from multiple sources (e.g., field inventory, remote sensing, third-party products) using CAFRI's data infrastructure built with open-source software and custom tools.

Manuscript and report preparation, conference presentations, student mentorship, and project management coordination and support.

Job Requirements :

Required Qualifications :

PhD in ecology, environmental science, forestry, or computational data sciences with applications to one or more natural science disciplines (e.g., ecoinformatics, Earth systems sciences).

Experience with machine-learning techniques for geospatial modeling (mapping) and analysis with large and complex data sources.

Experience working with a variety of data sources (including field inventory, remote sensing, third-party products) and open-source software environments (e.g., R, Python, Google Earth Engine, etc.)

Demonstrated ability for independent work and task completion with minimal direct supervision, especially if working remotely, while seeking feedback and guidance when necessary.

Demonstrated ability in written and verbal communication of research and project deliverables, including journal articles, technical reports and conference presentations.

Demonstrated ability to contribute as a productive team member in both lead and supporting roles.

Additional Information :

SUNY-ESF and the Broader Community

ESF is a specialized college within the 64-campus SUNY system, and a Carnegie R2 "High Research Activity" Institution that consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Princeton Review, and other national college guidebooks. With a total enrollment of about 2,200 undergraduates and 400 graduate students, combined with the immediate proximity of Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University, ESF provides an intimate, small-college atmosphere within a vibrant, large-university setting. ESF's extended campuses include more than 25,000 acres of forest properties, both close to Syracuse and across the Adirondack Park, which provide numerous opportunities for experiential coursework, research, and public outreach.

Located on the eastern edge of the Finger Lakes region, Syracuse is a small city in a rural region offering a diversity of natural and cultural amenities, a low cost of living, and a high quality of life - ranking among the top 10 percent of "Best Places to Live" in "The Places Rated Almanac." Syracuse is situated with easy access to New York City, the Adirondack Park, Lake Ontario, and many other points of interest in the eastern United States and Canada.

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As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics / genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York offers exceptional benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, pension plans, competitive pay, generous paid time off, life insurance and long-term disability insurance.

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.

Salary : $55,000 - $70,000