The application closing date for this Research Opportunity is January 4, 2008.
37. Applied remote sensing to measure status and trends in ecological processes
With the advance of satellite, airborne, and in-situ monitoring systems, it is now possible to measure ecological process dynamics at a variety of temporal and spatial scales. However, few comprehensive techniques exist to measure fluxes and flows of fundamental ecological processes … water, biota, materials, and energy … over spatially continuous areas at scales relevant to the evaluation and management of ecosystems and landscapes. Synthesis of data from different sensors representing different spatial and temporal scales offers tremendous potential to monitor and assess status and changes in critical ecological processes over spatially extensive areas. Such a capability will be critical in assessing how ecosystem and landscape processes, including those that affect the frequency and severity of natural hazards, the status and trends of natural resources (water, agricultural and forest products, biological communities, etc.), will be affected by climate change, urbanization, and other aspects of an ever-changing environment. Moreover, an understanding of these fundamental processes will be critical in determining which geographic areas may experience the greatest decline in ecological services, and which areas may be more resilient to change. These results will help target and prioritize areas most in need of management intervention.
This postdoctoral research opportunity will involve development and testing of new and innovative remote sensing approaches to measure, characterize, and model status and trends in ecological processes at multiple scales over spatially extensive areas (e.g., regions, large basins). This may include one to several processes affecting environmental quality and ecological services, including ecosystem productivity, water balance, biogeochemical cycles (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, etc.), biological flows and fluxes, and energy flows and fluxes. As such, the candidate is expected to use multiple sensors, existing field data, and existing biophysical data, in his or her research. Strong emphasis will be placed on quantitative approaches to synthesize data in evaluating ecological processes, and in ecological and landscape modeling. The incumbent will work with a wide range of spatial and in-situ data generated by the USGS and other agencies. Geographic emphasis of the incumbent’s research will be in multi-disciplinary research areas ongoing within USGS (e.g., Integrated Landscape Monitoring, Priority Ecosystems, Multi-hazard Risk Assessment). However, other geographies may be selected based on environmental gradients and/or availability of existing data. Additionally, it is anticipated that the incumbent will work with the new National Phenology Network Office in designing his or her projects. The incumbent’s research results will augment and enhance ongoing programs in land cover trends and applied remote sensing programs. Products resulting from the incumbent’s research will include approaches, models, and tools to assess ecological processes from remote sensing data.
Proposed Duty Station: Menlo Park, CA; Tucson or Flagstaff, AZ; Vancouver, WA; Denver or Fort Collins, CO; Rolla, MO; Anchorage, AK; Sioux Falls, SD; Reston, VA; Boston, MA; or Annapolis, MD
Areas of Ph.D.: Applied remote sensing, landscape ecology, spatial ecology and modeling, quantitative ecology, GIS, geography, environmental science, hydrology
Qualifications: Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: Research Geographer, Research Physical Scientist, Research Ecologist, Research Biologist, Research Hydrologist
(This type of research is performed by those who have backgrounds for the occupations stated above. However, other titles may be applicable depending on the applicant's background, education, and research proposal. The final classification of the position will be made by the Human Resources specialist.)
Research Advisor: John Jones, (703) 648-5543, jwjones@usgs.govHuman Resources Office contact: Kathy McDuffie, (703) 648-7408, kmcduffie@usgs.gov
|
Summary of Opportunities |