Overview: The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), Inc., is a $430 million dollar NSF-funded project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology and ecological processes. For the next three decades, NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 representative ecoclimatic domains. NEON will use multiple methods for data collection, including an airborne observation platform that will capture spectral and LiDAR data of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, relocatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who will observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and aquatic data. Linking these observations is a stable and extensible cyberinfrastructure that will calibrate, store and publish this raw data, as well as support the production of derived science products that address NEON’s grand challenges. The Observatory will eventually employ up to 300 personnel nationwide and will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
Position Summary: As a member of the Data Products Group (DPG), the Staff Scientist will be responsible for contributing to the development and generation of all data products that will be released by NEON to the community. This collaborative effort requires a broadly-trained scientist well-versed in and eager to learn the breadth of NEON scientific efforts, since the DPG works with the NEON’s science, cyberinfrastructure, and education teams, as well as the external community, to define and create the data products and manage their lifecycle. Specifically, this Staff Scientist position will act as the subject-matter expert supporting the development of NEON data products derived from and/or informed by waveform LiDAR and hyperspectral data collected by NEON’s Airborne Observation Platform (AOP). This position, within the Data Products Group, will work closely with the members of the AOP team. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Develop novel algorithms for processing LiDAR and hyperspectral data and producing related data products, in support of developing inferences related to ecological science; • Contribute to developing the science rationale for NEON data products, prototyping algorithms for their generation, and engaging all stakeholders in vetting the produced materials. The candidate will help to define NEON’s strategy to scale ecological data across multiple temporal and spatial scales in support of continental-scale ecological science; • Engage the user community through meetings, workshops, and working groups, to ensure the utility and veracity of NEON data products. Education: • PhD, ScD, or equivalent degree in atmospheric science, biogeochemistry, ecology, physics, or related fields is required. • Postdoctoral experience is preferred, but not required Required Experience: • Application of remote sensing theory to biological and/or physical systems • Expertise with common software packages (e.g., IDL/ENVI) • Experience building novel algorithms in support of LiDAR and/or hyperspectral data processing. • Experience integrating remote sensing data with a variety of ground-based data, including measurements of biophysical variables and observations of flora and fauna. • Familiarity with a variety of remote sensing platforms (e.g. MODIS, AVIRIS, Landsat) Preferred Experience: • Familiarity with data processing workflows in a production environment • Programming & analysis software experience (C/C++, Java, Python, MATLAB, IDL, R, etc.) • Teaching experience Skills and Abilities: • Skilled at scientific writing and review • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Experience working in a collaborative scientific enterprise • Open to undertaking responsibilities beyond those associated with individual research projects • Ability to work independently and as part of an active science team • Problem solver who can successfully apply experience, judgment, and creativity to both short- and long-term challenges, independently and within a larger team Apply to: www.neoninc.org NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
