Assistant Project Scientist -Jin Lab

Applications are invited for appointment as Assistant Project Scientist at the Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, the University of California Davis. We are seeking a highly motivated scholar to develop remote sensing algorithms and data-driven machine learning analytics for improving ecosystem resilience and agriculture sustainability. The candidate will be involved with projects on monitoring, modeling, and forecasting eco-hydrological dynamics. Within these overarching project goals, the candidates will have intellectual freedom to develop and pursue the research directions that they find most interesting. The candidate will be based at the Remote Sensing and Ecosystem Change Lab, University of California, Davis. The appointee will also have the opportunity to collaborate with scholars across diverse disciplines from multiple institutes. This position's direct supervisor will be Dr. Yufang Jin (yujin@ucdavis.edu).

The Assistant Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency. Appointees with Project (e.g., Scientist) titles may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Assistant Project Scientist is expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, Specialist in Cooperative Extension, etc.), he/she is not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. He/she will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal Investigator status. The Assistant Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. RESEARCH (85%)

Research activity (50%)

This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research areas of remote sensing and environmental science. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. He/she will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. In some cases, the candidate may supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, troubleshooting problems, interpreting results, and planning follow-up experiments.

Publication activities (20%)

The candidate will publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, books, and other outlets in collaboration with the PI and other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition (15%)

The candidate will assist in acquiring proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The candidate will prepare and assist in the preparation of reports as required by granting agencies. The candidate will interact with funding agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)

The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his/her specific field and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups.

When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)

The candidate will engage in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals and public agencies. The candidate will engage in University service activities such as guest lecturing and committee service. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position.

Ph.D. in Ecology, Geography, Forestry, Plant Science, Environmental Science, Hydrology, Geospatial science, Data Science, Applied Statistics, or other related field by the anticipated start date.

* Excellent quantitative skills, such as applied statistics and machine learning;

* Solid programming skills (e.g., Python, R, or Matlab);

* Demonstrated ability to analyze large complex datasets;

* Demonstrated research capabilities required to carry out independent, innovative and insightful research;

* Strong scientific communication skills as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, and conference presentations;

* Strong interest in interdisciplinary studies;

* Willingness to collaborate and ability to work successfully in a team environment.

* Familiarity with GIS and image processing software such as ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, and ENVI;

* Experience working with remote sensing data, including airborne or spaceborne multispectral, hyperspectral, lidar or radar data;

Experience in data fusion and data-model integration

• 1 required (contact information only)

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

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