Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Ecologist – Terrestrial Laser Scanning

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Tennessee.

📋 Description

• Develop, plan, and execute highly specialized research in forest ecology and terrestrial laser scanning.

• Initiate, cultivate, and engage in research and fieldwork on a global scale.

• Gather, process, manage, and analyze terrestrial laser scanning data.

• Coordinate TLS teams and research locations to ensure uniform, accurate, and comparable data acquisition.

• Design and implement field sampling to measure forest structure, species composition, population size structure, above-ground biomass, canopy height, and stand volume.

• Analyze field survey data utilizing statistical and graphical software.

• Compose reports and publishable scientific articles.

• Present research outcomes verbally and publish scholarly documents.

• Train and mentor staff, students, technicians, interns, fellows, visiting scholars, and research collaborators.

• Provide guidance to researchers on data interpretation and the safe, responsible use of specialized equipment.

• Assist in preparing and submitting grant proposals.

• Review research proposals, manuscripts, and publications.

• Deliver lectures to professional associations and organizations.

• Participate in training workshops, conferences, seminars, and scientific societies.

• Engage in international travel for conferences and research activities.

• Act as a consultant and advisor to colleagues, agencies, institutions, organizations, and the public.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• PhD in forest ecology, forestry, remote sensing, environmental science, or a related discipline.

• Strong expertise in forest ecology, forestry, ecosystem ecology, remote sensing, statistics, and climate change.

• Capability to conduct independent research on above-ground biomass in tropical forests.

• Advanced knowledge of scientific research methodologies, including study design, field data collection, data management and cleaning, statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and scientific writing.

• Experience with tree inventory, airborne laser scanning (ALS), and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data, particularly for tree-level analysis.

• Proven record of conducting original research, analyzing data, publishing scientific papers, and communicating complex scientific concepts.

• Experience in collaborating on interdisciplinary research projects.

• Experience in training and mentoring staff, students, and research collaborators.

• Experience in participating in workshops, training, and knowledge-sharing activities related to TLS research and capacity building.

• Experience in coordinating multiple TLS teams and research sites.

• Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with national and international researchers.

• Successfully pass a pre-employment background check and subsequent investigation for designated positions.

• Complete a probationary period.

• Maintain a bank account for direct deposit/electronic transfer.

• Eligible to work in the United States.

• Meet all qualification and eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date.

• Education obtained outside the United States must be recognized as equivalent to U.S. higher education programs.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance.

• Life Insurance.

• Transit/Commuter Benefits.

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance.

• Annual and Sick Leave.

• Family Friendly Leave.

• 403b Retirement Plan.

• Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores, and Restaurants.

• Credit Union.

• Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care).

• Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

• Potential for appointment extension based on funding availability.

• Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.