Research Assistant-Soil Carbon Monitoring

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Job description

SUMMARY: Woodwell Climate Research Center seeks a postdoctoral researcher or research assistant to join our soil carbon lab working to support research related to the development of tools to measure and understand soil carbon change. The position will be primarily focused on a diverse set of data analysis tasks including building and applying machine learning algorithms for estimating soil properties from spectral measurements, processing of remote sensing data, digital soil mapping and running process-based biogeochemical models. Within these projects there is a lot of room for creativity and ability to take the projects in new research directions.

Responsibilities:

• Refine and implement process-based and statistical models of soil carbon change.
• Develop predictive models from soil spectral data for numerous soil properties.
• Apply predictive soil mapping principles to create maps of soil properties at a variety of scales.
• Occasional field and laboratory work.
• Analyze, synthesize, and present results in collaboration with others.

Qualifications and Experience:

• To be considered for postdoc, a Ph.D. degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Soil Science, Earth System Science, Geography, or a related discipline
• For research assistant, a Master's degree in the same disciplines. A Bachelor's degree with appropriate experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated application of multivariate and machine learning models.
• Ability to program in R and Python and to learn new skills as needed.
• Experience with geospatial analysis of data, Google Earth Engine is a plus.
• Experience handling large data streams and high-performance computing.
• Experience with high performance computing on a cluster or in cloud environment.
• Knowledge and interest in carbon cycle science and environmental resource monitoring.
• Scientific writing for peer-reviewed publication, preferred.

Application Deadline: Resume review will be on a rolling basis, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Desired Start Date: Jan 3, 2022

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. This is a two-year fixed-term position with the potential to extend. The salary range is $55-68,000 annually. Woodwell offers a very generous benefits package.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts preferred but remote work will be considered.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references as a single PDF to our careers portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please type JSRA21-3 in the subject line.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, Woodwell Climate Research Center is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 80+ staff members, and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell Climate Research Center 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.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell

WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis-from causes to consequences-is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.

The work Woodwell does-the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward-is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

Woodwell acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.

We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.

• To be considered for postdoc, a Ph.D. degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Soil Science, Earth System Science, Geography, or a related discipline
• For research assistant, a Master's degree in the same disciplines. A Bachelor's degree with appropriate experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated application of multivariate and machine learning models.
• Ability to program in R and Python and to learn new skills as needed.
• Experience with geospatial analysis of data, Google Earth Engine is a plus.
• Experience handling large data streams and high-performance computing.
• Experience with high performance computing on a cluster or in cloud environment.
• Knowledge and interest in carbon cycle science and environmental resource monitoring.
• Scientific writing for peer-reviewed publication, preferred.

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Master's Degree