Goddard Earth Sciences & Technology Center Staff

RESEARCH SCIENTIST POSITION

Subject to funding approval, the Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology Center (GEST) will make Research Faculty appointments at the Research Associate, Assistant Research Scientist, Associate Research Scientist, and Senior Research Scientist levels as commensurate with experience. GEST is a Cooperative Agreement between the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to collaborate in research programs in the Earth, Information, and Instrumentation sciences. GEST is a Consortium whose members include UMBC, Hampton University, Howard University, and Caelum Research Corporation. Positions will generally be located either at GSFC or at the offices of one of the consortium members. More than one candidate may be chosen for some positions. All candidates must have degrees in an appropriate physical discipline and a demonstrated research record in accordance with the specific qualifications listed for each of the following positions:

GEST 614-90-316 Research Activity – Remote Sensing and Terrestrial Ecology

A post-doctoral research scientist is required to integrate satellite and ground-based data in characterizing changes in global forest cover, ecosystem disturbance, and ecosystem compositional responses to climate change. This research is part of the ongoing activities at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center dedicated to mapping vegetation dynamics at regional and continental scales using Landsat-type imagery and the LEDAPS processing system, in conjunction with other satellite observations (MODIS, GLAS), and field data. Specific activities involve characterizing deforestation and regrowth using time series Landsat and ASTER data from a variety of biomes, and conducting research to characterize high-latitude ecotone responses to climate change. The successful applicant will be expected to develop independent research activities and provide science leadership within the LEDAPS team.

Requires – The position requires a Ph.D. in Ecology, Forestry, Geography or a related field with demonstrated ability to pursue independent research. Experience with passive optical remote sensing for vegetation or land cover studies is required; experience with lidar remote sensing is desirable. Applicant needs to have knowledge of common scientific and geospatial analysis applications (eg. ENVI/IDL, MATLAB, ArcGIS, etc). Some experience with scientific programming (C, Fortran) and scientific data formats (HDF) is preferred. Selection is contingent upon obtaining Goddard security clearance and possessing appropriate visa status to meet requirements for employment.

Applicants should identify the position by number on a cover letter which includes home address and visa status, if any, and submit it together with a complete curriculum vitae, including the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references, to Dr. Tom Low, Associate Director, GEST, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Suite 320 5523 Research Park Drive, Baltimore, MD 21228. Applications are requested prior to April 19, 2008, although positions remain open until filled. GEST partners are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers.

Last Updated March 11, 2008 4:51 PM