The PNW Research Station (PNWRS) is recruiting two positions, at the post-masters or postdoctoral level, to work in the Hessburg lab. This positions will be filled through the ORISE recent graduates fellowship program. The successful candidates will work on a dynamic research team investigating landscape level changes and future trajectories of western US forest ecosystems. The focus of position 1 will be modeling climate effects on forest landscape dynamics (wildfire, growth, mortality, and regeneration) and landscape hydrology in north central Washington State. The focus of position 2 will be building decision support models across the western US and Pacific Islands with the aim of integrating climate change and landscape dynamics into the near-term decision making process. Both positions will be interdisciplinary and collaborative, the successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on multiple projects. The positions are located at the USDA Forest Service Research Lab in Wenatchee, Washington, and will be mentored by Dr. Paul Hessburg (PNWRS), Dr. Tucker Furniss (University of Wyoming), and Dr. Nick Povak (PSWRS).
The ORISE recent graduates fellowship program requires that the candidate has graduated with a MS or PhD degree within the past five years. The degree should be in forest ecology, landscape ecology, fire ecology, or a related discipline. Required qualifications include experience with ecological modeling, spatial analysis and statistics, GIS software, R coding, and leading published research.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The positions provide modeling, coding, and database expertise in support of a complex, multi-model ecological forecasting and decision support workflows. Position 1 will lead the development, calibration, and synthesis of the forest succession, wildfire, and climate change modeling workflow, and will interface with collaborators at the Pacific Northwest National Lab to simulate snowpack and hydrology dynamics with landscape hydrology modeling software. Position 2 will lead decision support modeling to help direct strategic management decisions towards improving the value and sustainability of restoration treatments. Both positions involve interfacing with collaborators from a variety of government, nongovernment, and university entities. The positions require someone who can operate independently while participating in the collaborative culture of the team. The successful candidates will be self-motivated and will have a high capacity for writing, research communication, and publication.
ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES
Gathers, analyzes, and interprets spatial ecological data. Performs quality assurance/quality control assessments. Calibrates models and develops model applications in new geographies. Develops proposals, writes internal progress reports, and publishes findings in the peer-reviewed literature.
Provides technical advice and expertise on related projects. Keeps updated with latest developments in the ecological literature, relevant modeling literature, computer technology, and landscape management challenges. Assists in developing workflow improvements via program development and scripting routines.
POSITION TIMELINE, START DATE, AND BENEFITS
Duration: 1-4 years, contingent upon performance and funding. Health benefits: are available through ORISE. Start date: Spring 2023. Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
TO EXPRESS INTEREST
To learn more about Position 1, contact Dr. Tucker Furniss (tucker.furniss@usda.gov), and for Position 2, contact Dr. Nick Povak (nicholas.povak@usda.gov). To apply, send a single .PDF containing a cover letter, your CV, and three professional references to Dr. Paul Hessburg (paul.hessburg@usda.gov).
