Open Positions
The Francis Lab in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher in Forest and Wildfire Geospatial Science. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work on a Joint Fire Science Program-funded project to develop geospatial data products characterizing forest structure and fuel conditions in southwestern US forests by combining satellite data, airborne lidar, and field plot data using machine learning methods. The position is funded for 2.5 years. If you are interested, please read the details below, and apply at the link that will be posted here very soon! (very soon = early March 2024)
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Position Description: Dry forests in the western US are exposed to heightened risks of large high-severity fires and limited forest regeneration as a result of fire exclusion and climate change. Given significant limitations on time and resources for implementing and monitoring fuel treatments, availability of up-to-date, accurate, high-resolution, and updateable data products characterizing forest structure and fuel conditions could make a meaningful contribution to strategic planning and monitoring of fuel treatments. The Postdoctoral Researcher will develop geospatial data products characterizing forest structure and fuel conditions by 1) training satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and multispectral imagery with measurements of forest structure and fuel conditions derived from airborne lidar and forest inventory plot data, 2) using statistical modelling (including machine learning) approaches, 3) engaging with fuels program managers and NGO stakeholders in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, and 4) developing and publishing code and manuscripts to disseminate the results.
Salary Range: $62,000-$66,000 with benefits.
Duration: Funding for this position is available for 2.5 years, and the position will be renewed annually for the duration of the 2.5 years contingent on satisfactory progress. The Postdoctoral Researcher will have the opportunity to participate in the development of grant proposals that, if successful, could extend funding for the position beyond the 2.5 year timeframe.
Project Team and Collaboration: The Postdoctoral Researcher will work primarily with Emily Francis at Colorado State University, and will also collaborate with the broader project team that includes Matthew Hurteau (UNM), Harold Zald (USFS PNW), Gavin Jones (USFS RMRS), Hans Andersen (USFS PNW), and a PhD student in the Francis Lab.
Required Qualifications: A PhD in ecology, remote sensing, earth science, environmental science, geography, computer science, data science, or a related field by the desired start date or within a reasonable time frame after the desired start date (awaiting conferral okay with a degree completion certificate).
Preferred Qualifications:
Salary Range: $62,000-$66,000 with benefits.
Duration: Funding for this position is available for 2.5 years, and the position will be renewed annually for the duration of the 2.5 years contingent on satisfactory progress. The Postdoctoral Researcher will have the opportunity to participate in the development of grant proposals that, if successful, could extend funding for the position beyond the 2.5 year timeframe.
Project Team and Collaboration: The Postdoctoral Researcher will work primarily with Emily Francis at Colorado State University, and will also collaborate with the broader project team that includes Matthew Hurteau (UNM), Harold Zald (USFS PNW), Gavin Jones (USFS RMRS), Hans Andersen (USFS PNW), and a PhD student in the Francis Lab.
Required Qualifications: A PhD in ecology, remote sensing, earth science, environmental science, geography, computer science, data science, or a related field by the desired start date or within a reasonable time frame after the desired start date (awaiting conferral okay with a degree completion certificate).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with remote sensing
- Experience developing code in Google Earth Engine, R, or Python
- Experience with or interest in analysis of airborne lidar data, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), satellite multispectral data, and/or machine learning models
- Evidence of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
- Expertise in fire science, forest science, or southwestern US coniferous forest science
- Interest in developing science to support management
- Interest in working collaboratively within a research team
- Prepare a one-page statement describing your interest in the position and if/how you meet the qualifications, a CV, and contact information for three references.
- Submit your application at the link that will be provided here when the application goes live in early March 2024.
