[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoctoral Research Associate, Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group (NTSG), University of Montana

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group (NTSG)

https://university-montana-hr.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=1983&company_id=16254



The Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group (NTSG<http://www.ntsg.umt.edu/>) and the Geosciences Department at the University of Montana (UM) invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher to develop and apply satellite remote sensing based ecological models for estimating cropland productivity and water use. The remote sensing derived estimates of crop yields and water use will be used within a socioeconomic modeling framework to investigate how farmers allocate land and water resources in response to climate variability, economic and policy constraints.



The successful candidate will be part of a NASA and USDA funded interdisciplinary team of researchers including remote sensing specialists, hydroloclimatologists, and water policy specialists developing transformative decision support tools and integrated hydro-economic models of agricultural production. The models are driven by field observations, multi-sensor satellite remote sensing of crop yields and water use, outputs from regional climate models, and socioeconomic data for Montana agricultural systems. The candidate will be expected to develop their own research within the overall project framework and will interact with Principal Investigators, other research scientists, public and private industry stakeholders. The candidate will also participate as a productive member of a larger interdisciplinary research group pioneering new ecological remote sensing applications.



The duties for the position will include digital image processing and integration of multi-sensor and multi-scale satellite remote sensing and other geospatial data for mapping irrigated and non-irrigated lands, cropland vegetation phenology and water stress; application and development of remote sensing data-driven ecological models for estimating field-scale crop yields, evapotranspiration, and water use efficiency; conducting independent research, writing scientific papers and publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals; conducting public outreach and giving oral presentations on research findings.



The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its essential values of leadership, diversity, engagement and sustainability.



Required Qualifications
*        A PhD in environmental engineering, eco-hydrology or a related discipline
*        Demonstrated knowledge of remote sensing fundamentals, including satellite optical-infrared and microwave remote sensing
*        Understanding of numerical methods for data integration and analysis, including machine learning and optimization techniques
*        Experience in hydrologic or ecosystem process modeling
*        Digital image processing and modeling experience using Google EarthEngine, Matlab, or IDL/ENVI software environments
*        Programming ability in C/C++, R or, preferably, Python
*        Experience in both Linux and Windows environments
*        Proficiency in conducting independent scientific research and demonstrated ability to publish in the peer-reviewed scientific literature
*        Ability to communicate and interact well with others in a large interdisciplinary research group



Preferred Qualifications
*        Experience and interest in agricultural systems and applications is also desired



Position Details
*        The successful applicant will be employed by the University of Montana on a 12-month Letter of Appointment, including competitive salary, medical/dental and retirement benefits.
*        The position is located within NTSG <http://www.ntsg.umt.edu/> on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, MT.



About UM<http://www.umt.edu/>

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 500+ full-time faculty members. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 70,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the "top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000<https://www.aier.org/2015-2016-top-college-destinations-ranked>" by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine's "The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America<https://www.outsideonline.com/1928016/16-best-places-live-us-2014>" in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life<http://www.umt.edu/urelations/info/highlights/default.php#Quality>. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

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