[ES_JOBS_NET] Post-Doc Position - Patterns of Foliar Traits across regions as derived from imaging spectroscopy

[Erika Marín-Spiotta]

Hello colleagues:

I am looking for a postdoc to work on analysis of patterns of foliar traits
derived from imaging spectroscopy.  The skills to fill the position are
pretty wide open -- it need not be a "hyperspectral" specialist, but
experience with remote sensing data is needed. Basically, we are looking to
start doing syntheses across data from a number of past or current imaging
spectroscopy studies using AVIRIS, AVIRIS-NG, Neon and other data.
Candidates who are interested in the ecological focus are encouraged,
although I am open to a wide range of candidates with strong quantitative
skills.  Please pass this along to anyone whom you think might be
interested, or let me know if you have possible candidates.

Thanks much,
Phil Townsend, University of Wisconsin-Madison


Post-Doctoral Position - Spatial Patterns in Vegetation Traits and Foliar
Function / Hyperspectral Remote Sensing

The Townsend Lab (http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/townsend/) at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking a post-doc interested in the study of
patterns of foliar traits as derived from imaging spectroscopy
(hyperspectral remote sensing). Over the last several years, our group has
been using field data and hyperspectral imagery to map foliar
biochemical/physiological traits, such as nitrogen, leaf mass per area,
pigments, in a range of ecosystems for several projects. We are now
interested in synthesizing some of these data from many locations to better
understand generalities in the hyperspectral data as well as in ecological
relationships.  This work will be collaborative, and work with data from
multiple sensors.  The position requires strong quantitative skills (R
and/or Python are our primary tools), experience with remote sensing data,
and a background in ecology or environmental sciences. Studies to be
synthesized include data from forests, grasslands, and agro-ecosystems in
the eastern US, at NEON domains, on the Indian subcontinent, and in
California as part of NASA’s HyspIRI airborne project.

The responsibilities of the post-doc include:
- Collaboration with Townsend Lab team members and our collaborators to
develop, validate and compare vegetation trait models from imaging
spectroscopy data
- Synthesis of biochemical/physiological trait maps and trait models across
multiple ecosystem types
- Testing new quantitative methods for mapping traits and analyzing their
patterns
- Analysis of ecological patterns from trait maps derived across many sites
and systems
- Contribute to and write papers based on the analyses.

Prospective candidates should have:
- A Ph.D. in-hand in geography, biology/ecology, ecosystem or environmental
science, or a related discipline,
- Experience with remote sensing data and its analysis, and
- Strong statistical background, and preferably related experience
programming in R or Python.

Applicants must have excellent English writing and verbal communication
skills, as well as the ability to work and lead a research team, are
essential.

The start date for the position is September or October, 2017, but is
flexible and can be sooner.  The position is available for two years,
pending satisfactory performance. Further years are contingent on funding.

University, Department, Labs:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the major research
universities in the United States (www.wisc.edu). It ranks 2nd in research
expenditures among all U.S. universities and first among public
universities. Total student enrollment is 41,500, out of which 8,800 are
graduate students.  Employees include 2,000 faculty. UW-Madison has a long
history of excellence in ecology, conservation biology, and wildlife
biology (www.ecology.wisc.edu).  The Townsend Lab maintains
state-of-the-art facilities for remote sensing research, including
computation power, as well as a broad range of field spectrometers, two
imaging spectrometers, calibration equipment, and ecosystem measurement
instrumentation.

Town:
Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of the best places in the
United States to live, work, and study.  It is Wisconsin's capital city,
with a vibrant metropolitan population of approximately 500,000 that
combines small town charm with a nice variety of leisure and cultural
opportunities.  For more information on campus and town see:
http://www.wisc.edu/about/location.php.

Application Process:
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until a
suitable candidate is chosen. Applications received before September 1,
2016 will be given full consideration.  The University of Wisconsin-Madison
is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  We promote excellence
through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.  The
position is open to both US citizen and international candidates.

Interested applicants are asked to e-mail the documents listed below to Dr.
Phil Townsend. Please send the documents compiled together in ONE PDF named
YourSurname.pdf with “Foliar Traits Postdoc Application 2017” in the email
subject line.
- Letter outlining research interests, academic and professional background
- Resume or CV
- Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)
- Names and contact addresses of three references

Questions should be directed to Dr. Phil Townsend (ptownsend at wisc.edu).

---

Phil Townsend, Professor
Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin
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