Overview:

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the National Institute of Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This position is funded by the US Forest Service and the postdoctoral mentors are Dr. Todd Schroeder (USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis Program todd.schroeder@usda.gov) and Dr. Monica Papeş (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and NIMBioS mpapes@utk.edu). The project will focus on use of point cloud data from USDA NAIP imagery to improve separation of forest from non-tree vegetation and develop maps of canopy height and sparse forest cover for pinyon-juniper/oak woodlands. Possible research avenues include combining 3D structure and optical remote sensing data to develop higher resolution canopy height maps and alternative forest/nonforest maps. The maps generated will be used to improve FIA forest estimates via post-stratification and/or model-assisted estimation.

Requirements:

• A Ph.D. in a pertinent field (biology, forestry, geography, or remote sensing) at the time of appointment
• Research experience in spatial data and forest inventory data analysis
• A strong background in spatial analyses in ESRI, QGIS, R, and/or Google Earth Engine
• Experience in scientific publishing; ability to produce drafts of papers for publication in scientific journals; evidence of successful prior publication
• Ability to work and communicate with a multidisciplinary and diverse team
• Willingness to help with the preparation of additional grant proposals would be a plus