Research Scientist

Company: Inside Higher Ed
Location: Flagstaff
Posted on: April 4, 2021

Job Description:

Job Title: Research Scientist Location: Ecological Restoration Inst. Regular/Temporary: Regular Full/Part Time: Full-Time Job ID: 605271 Workplace CultureNAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We-faculty, staff, and administrators-thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU's culture of excellence.Special InformationThis is a full-time position located on campus of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.Job DescriptionThe Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) at Northern Arizona University (NAU) is seeking a Research Scientist to focus on natural resource quantification and modeling in support of landscape-scale forest restoration in the southwestern United States (U.S.). Duties will primarily focus on the following areas:

• Lead and conduct landscape analysis to quantify spatially explicit forest conditions and ecological processes over large areas.
• Integrate remote sensing data, applied sampling, and landscape vegetation modeling to address broad-scale ecological and operational questions.
• Produce peer-reviewed publications and provide presentations for professional audiences.
• Secure external funding for research.
• Provide support in science transfer and outreach, specifically in the areas of literature synthesis, workshops for land managers, non-technical papers, fact sheets, webinars, and rapid assessments.
• Supervise ERI staff as determined by Ecology Team Lead and Executive Director.
• Assist with Ecology program area management as needed.The job functions of this position will be performed in close coordination with the ERI's Ecology Team Lead and staff as well as Operations, and Science Delivery program areas. The incumbent will be expected to develop and maintain working relationships with local and regional public land managers, researchers, stakeholders, special interest groups and government officials. The selected candidate will work on teams that include students, faculty and staff in the within the ERI, NAU School of Forestry, and/or other organizations.Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Forestry, Ecology, Geography, Informatics, Environmental Sciences, or similar field, including 6 years of research experience.
• Five years' experience in conducting research related to forest ecosystem restoration, landscape ecology, fire ecology, or forest-climate interactions
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experiencePreferred Qualifications
  • Demonstrated experience working with Remote Sensing data products such as lidar, Landsat, Sentinel, Worldview, etc.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in research design and analytical techniques in restoration ecology, landscape ecology, remote sensing, forest science and/or quantitative ecology.
  • Demonstrated experience in producing peer-reviewed publications and providing professional presentations.
  • Familiarity with Southwestern forest landscapes.
  • Sound understanding of ecological restoration principles.
  • Familiarity with forest resource sampling techniques, (e.g., spatially balanced, two-phase or cluster designs), timber cruising, volume/biomass estimation and natural resource characterization.
  • Knowledge of forest growth and/or vegetation dynamics software (e.g., FVS, Landis, SORTIE-ND).
  • Demonstrated experience developing solutions in R or Python scripting languages.
  • Experience with spatial and tabular data analysis, data management, and data visualization
  • Experience supervising and training science staff, and field crews.
  • Demonstrated experience in grant writing and securing external funding
  • Experience working with public land managers.
  • Experience with collaborative interdisciplinary research and science transferKnowledge, Skills, & Abilities
    • Knowledge of remote sensing, fire ecology, forest ecology, and climate science.
    • Experience working on diverse teams to solve complex problems.Background InformationNorthern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an . The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus and NAU-Fort Defiance as these campuses have on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.SalaryCommensurate with experience.**The starting salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected applicant balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.FLSA StatusThis position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.BenefitsThis is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the . NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to .Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of employment. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of employment. Learning and DevelopmentYour career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days. If your position includes the supervision of a benefit-eligible employee, we offer the NAU Supervisors Academy for you to complete within your first 2 years. Application DeadlineApril 12, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.How to ApplyTo apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets. If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.Equal Employment OpportunityNorthern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Keywords: Inside Higher Ed, Flagstaff , Research Scientist, Other , Flagstaff, Arizona