[ES_JOBS_NET] NASA SERVIR Water & Agriculture Thematic Lead - Research Scientist

[Robert Griffin]

The University of Alabama in Huntsville and the SERVIR Science Coordination Office (SCO) are seeking a Research Scientist to serve as the Global Food Security and Agriculture and Water Resources Thematic Lead (TL). The portfolios of Food Security, Agriculture, and Water Resources are rapidly growing with increasing numbers of science applications being developed, and trainings conducted, to meet the needs of SERVIR regions. The role of the Thematic Lead will be to lead the research portfolio of SERVIR’s Food Security and Agriculture and Water Resources projects. A successful candidate will have a fundamental expertise in the fields of Satellite Remote Sensing and Modeling applications in Agriculture and hydrology, excel in communicating the science in both academic and non-academic settings, and demonstrated experience in collaborative leadership.  

Interested applicants can apply here: https://careers.uah.edu/cw/en-us/job/493953/research-scientist-ii-step-2 <https://careers.uah.edu/cw/en-us/job/493953/research-scientist-ii-step-2>
SERVIR is a joint development initiative of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and works in partnership with leading regional organizations world-wide to help developing countries use information provided by Earth observing satellites and geospatial technologies for managing climate risks and land use. SERVIR’s goal is to empower decision-makers with tools, products, and services to act locally on climate-sensitive issues such as disasters, agriculture, water, and ecosystems and land use.

The TL will be responsible for guiding the program in strategic areas of growth and building upon the sustainable co-development model of SERVIR. This includes coordinating across the SERVIR global network to understand all the projects and identifying technical and scientific solutions to opportunities and challenges that arise. SERVIR hub institutions provide a key interface between the needs of SERVIR regions and the TL must coordinate effectively with the Regional Science Coordination Leads, Hub counterparts in each of the SERVIR regions, as well as with USAID, NASA and other relevant partners. This includes leading (and co-leading in Water and Disasters) global coordination meeting around each theme. The TL will be the primary technical point of contact with the SERVIR Applied Science Team projects in Agriculture and Water, providing technical and scientific backstopping where necessary to ensure uptake and sustainable development. The TL will be required to represent the Agriculture and Water portfolio in strategic collaborations and partnerships within and outside the SERVIR network, including organizations like USAID, World Bank, World Food Program, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as well as National Ministries and Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) working in SERVIR regions. The TL must be able to understand and work in the science that is being represented and have a published record in the field of Agriculture and Water Resources.

 The SERVIR SCO in Huntsville offers a flexible and dynamic work environment, with an in-house team of over 30 science professionals and numerous opportunities for growth and professional development.  Periodic international and domestic travel are a requirement of the position.

 

Specific Responsibilities

·      Lead SCO scientific activities in Agriculture and Water

·      Collaborate and Co-Develop with users and scientists at SERVIR Hubs

·      Support the development, calibration and validation of Earth Observation driven method and models

·      Coordinate and represent SERVIR interest with NASA Water Resources and Harvest

·      Represent the SERVIR Ag and Water portfolio in high-level collaborative meetings

·      Lead existing partnerships in the Ag and Water themes

·      Provide technical and scientific support to projects

·      Lead and coordinate global thematic calls

·      Identify and lead project specific calls where needed

·      Scientific and technical POC for Applied Science Teams

·      Coordinate with AST thematic leads

·      Identify areas of growth and new partnerships within the Ag and Water themes

·      Identify and oversee technical aspects of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) throughout the network in Agriculture and Water

·      Convene Technical Assessment Groups (TAGs) to provide critical review and direction of SERVIR projects and services

·      Coordinate with the SERVIR Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) team to understand software requirements for development.

·      Design, coordinate and conduct trainings, workshops, and technical exchanges

·      Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications

·      Lead special journal issues that highlight work relevant to SERVIR and Earth observations’ contributions to sustainable development

 

Key Requirements and Education

·      Master’s in Earth or Atmospheric science, Geosciences, Environmental science, Engineering or similar field.

·      Excellent verbal and written communications skills

·      Leadership experience and self initiative

·      Experience leading complex projects with multiple institutions

·      Advanced experience in Earth Observation driven method and models

·      Earth science geospatial data analysis experience

·      Math, statistical & scientific data processing automation (using libraries, packages or tools such as SciPy, NumPy, ArcPy, R, Math.NET, MatLab, etc.)

·      Raster data including processing of temporal datasets

·      Experience with running, calibrating and applying hydrologic, land surface and crop models

·      Publication record

·      Willingness to work closely with others in diverse team environments

·      Ability to manage science products and applications in international settings, and to travel to international locations for trainings and collaborative meetings.

·      Cultural awareness and sensitivity pertinent to diverse SERVIR regions and supporting member countries’ journeys to self-reliance

 

Desired Qualifications

·      PhD in Earth or Atmospheric science, Geosciences, Environmental science, Engineering or similar field.

·      Experience working with NASA and/ or other Federal agencies





--
Robert E. Griffin, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, College of Science
Associate Professor, Atmospheric & Earth Science
University of Alabama in Huntsville
256.961.7783 | robert.griffin at uah.edu

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