[ES_JOBS_NET] PhD and Postdoc Positions at University of Illinois in Ecosystem Modeling and Remote Sensing

[Bin Peng]

Dear colleagues,

We will appreciate it if you can help to spread the following recruiting
information to any potential candidates. PDF version is also attached.
http://faculty.nres.illinois.edu/~kaiyuguan/Postdoc_PhD_recruiting_ARPA-E.pdf

Thanks a lot,

Bin Peng from Illinois.

Global Recruitment of Talents: PhD and Postdoc Positions

at University of Illinois in Ecosystem Modeling and Remote Sensing

We are recruiting multiple PhD students and Postdoctoral Researchers at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The successful
candidates will work with a group of leading scientists in developing a “system
of systems” solution to quantify field-scale carbon credit over the U.S.
agroecosystem <https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/1642301134.html>. The
candidates will use extensive ground observations, multi-source satellite
remote sensing and airborne hyperspectral data, advanced process-based
modeling, deep learning, and systematic model-data fusion to build such a
first-of-its-kind solution. Candidates will directly work with an
interdisciplinary team with leading scientists at multiple U.S. institutes
and DOE national labs. The research projects are led by Dr. Kaiyu Guan
(ecosystem modeling and remote sensing)
<http://faculty.nres.illinois.edu/~kaiyuguan/>, Dr. Evan DeLucia (ecosystem
biogeochemistry) <https://www.life.illinois.edu/delucia/delucia.htm>, and Dr.
Jian Peng (artificial intelligence) <http://jianpeng.web.engr.illinois.edu/>,
with close collaborations with Dr. Jinyun Tang (ecosystem modeling)
<https://eesa.lbl.gov/profiles/jinyun-tang/> and Dr. Zhenong Jin
(physics-guided machine learning) <http://jinlab.bbe.umn.edu/>.



Summary: The successful candidates will work on a few recently funded
research projects of developing a “system of systems” solution to quantify
field-scale carbon credit over the U.S. agroecosystem
<https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/1642301134.html>. Carbon
sequestration through adaptive management practices over the cropland may
have a great potential to mitigate climate change, improve soil health and
sustain crop productivity. However, we are currently lacking scalable and
accurate solutions to quantify the changes of soil organic carbon and
greenhouse gas emissions at individual field levels. The successful
candidates will use extensive ground observations, multi-source satellite
remote sensing and airborne hyperspectral data, advanced process-based
modeling, deep learning, and systematic model-data fusion to build such a
first-of-its-kind solution. Candidates will directly work with an
interdisciplinary team with leading scientists at multiple U.S. institutes
and DOE national labs. The position will be through Institute for
Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)
<https://sustainability.illinois.edu/>, Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Sciences (NRES) <https://nres.illinois.edu/> and National
Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)
<http://www.ncsa.illinois.edu/> at UIUC. Funding up to five years is
guaranteed for PhD students through fellowship, research-assistant, and/or
teaching-assistant. The postdoctoral position is full-time, 1-year
duration, with possibility of annual extension, contingent upon performance
and funding.

Specific responsibilities:

Ecosystem Modelers: improving process-based ecosystem models by developing
new biogeochemical/hydrological modules, efficient calibration methods, and
advanced model-data fusion; building operational systems for agricultural
monitoring and modeling over the U.S. agroecosystems and beyond.

Remote Sensing Scientists: designing and implementing automatic computing
pipelines for satellite/airborne-related remote sensing algorithms for
monitoring soil organic carbon, soil moisture, management practices, crop
growth condition, water use and productivity at a high spatial resolution
and over large areas.

Common responsibility: preparing peer-reviewed publications and education
materials; managing projects and reporting; and communicating research at
professional meetings; postdocs will also mentor graduate and undergraduate
students.

Qualifications for PhD student positions: The project will involve intense
data processing/analysis, large-scale model simulation, and possibly field
work. Strong quantitative and programing skills are required for successful
PhD student candidates. One PhD student will be under direct supervision of
both Drs. Jinyun Tang and Kaiyu Guan for developing next-generation
biogeochemistry models, and candidates with a background in physics,
mathematics or related fields are highly encouraged. Proficiency in
spoken/written English is mandatory. All applicants should meet the minimum
requirements of GPA and GRE by the graduate admission (
http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply/requirements). Information
for applying to NRES can be found here:
https://nres.illinois.edu/graduate/apply. International students should
also meet the minimum requirements of TOEFL (the same link above
<http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply/requirements>). Prospective
graduate students are encouraged to contact Xin Lin (linxin at illinois.edu)
first to share potential research projects and opportunities before applying
<https://nres.illinois.edu/graduate/apply>. When contacting by email,
please include the following items: unofficial transcripts, curriculum
vitae, GRE score, names and contact information of three references, and a
brief personal statement that highlights skills relevant to the above
directions. Starting Date: We accept students at any time of a year, not
confined to only fall semester. Therefore, the enrollment time is flexible.

Qualifications for Postdoc positions: Applicants should have a Ph.D. on
earth and environmental science, hydrology, remote sensing, environmental
engineering, meteorology, geography, mathematics, or a closely related
field. Prior research experiences in ecosystem modeling and remote sensing
are highly preferred. Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++,
and/or Fortran in the Linux environment) and prior experience in
supercomputing or big data analytical systems is required, as the applicant
will be working routinely in the supercomputer environment. Candidates will
be considered if graduation with a Ph.D. is expected by the targeted
starting date. Proficiency in spoken/written English is mandatory. The
appointment is renewed annually, contingent upon the performance. Salary is
competitive and commensurate with experience in relevant research. Starting
Date: Ideal starting window ranges from January 1, 2021 to April 1, 2021,
and prefer to start as soon as possible. The position is open till filled.

Application Process: To ensure full consideration, qualified candidates
must send a cover letter, CV, and contact information of three references
via email to linxin at illinois.edu. All requested information must be
submitted to the above email in order for your application to be
considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Qualified
applicants will be immediately reviewed upon receiving the application
while the search may continue until the position is filled. We will only
give feedback to those candidates that we plan to interview. For further
information, please contact: Ms. Xin Lin (linxin at illinois.edu).

Dr. Kaiyu Guan’s Group: Information can be found at:
http://faculty.nres.illinois.edu/~kaiyuguan/. Dr. Guan is a Blue Waters
Professor in ecohydrology and remote sensing in the iSEE
<https://sustainability.illinois.edu/>, NRES <https://nres.illinois.edu/>,
and NCSA <http://www.ncsa.illinois.edu/> at UIUC. Guan’s group uses
computational models, remote sensing data, field work, machine learning,
and supercomputing to address how climate and human practices affect food
security, water resources, and ecosystem functioning.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC): UIUC is a world
leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the
breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally
renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating
knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to
critical societal needs. UIUC ranks top worldwide in Environmental Science,
Computer Science, and Agricultural Science. The University of Illinois is
an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The administration,
faculty, and staff embrace diversity and are committed to attracting
qualified candidates who also embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.
Visit www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu. International students have
flexibility to study remotely considering the COVID-19 situation.
-----------
Bin Peng, Ph.D.
National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
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