Job Title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Location: Elect Eng & Computer Science
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 604193
Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU’s culture of excellence.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Job Description

Postdoctoral researcher(s) are sought to participate in research projects focused on mapping, monitoring, and modeling vegetation cover, composition and structure, incorporating climate, land use, and disturbance dynamics. The successful candidate(s) will work with members of the Goetz GEODE Lab and collaborators, using satellite and airborne observations to analyze the influence of multiple factors on vegetation dynamics, habitat quality and restoration potential with an emphasis on Arctic, boreal and tropical ecosystems.

We are seeking postdoctoral researchers (2) to participate in research projects focused on mapping, monitoring, and modeling vegetation cover, composition and structure, incorporating climate, land use, and disturbance dynamics. The successful candidate(s) will work with members of the Goetz GEODE Lab and collaborators, using satellite and airborne observations to analyze the influence of multiple factors on vegetation dynamics, habitat quality and restoration potential with an emphasis on Arctic, boreal and tropical ecosystems. The successful candidate can begin as early as Spring 2019.

The position(s) will involve:

• Contributing to NAU’s satellite and airborne remote sensing activities.
• Processing multi-sensor imagery, primarily satellite-based but also airborne remote sensing including drones, to derive geospatial products characterizing ecosystem properties (e.g. vertical canopy structure, habitat quality, biomass, regrowth).
• Advancing analyses of vegetation dynamics and response to anthropogenic and environmental drivers of change.
• Presenting research results locally and at professional meetings.
• Collaborating with a diverse group of scientists.
• Facilitating collaborations between the Goetz GEODE lab and other researchers at NAU and beyond.
• Writing and assisting with the writing of research proposals and peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Training and mentoring graduate and undergraduate student researchers.

Minimum Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have a Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, and/or a related discipline.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to synthesize complex information and develop structured analyses in written and visual form
• Ability to perform complex geoprocessing and manipulate large datasets using personally developed scripts
• Fluency in performing geospatial tasks in a multi-operating system environment (Windows/Linux/Mac/Solaris)
• Knowledge of programming / script writing (Python, R, GDAL, C/C#, SQL, Perl, Java, and/or IDL)
• Skill in using digital image processing software packages including open source options as appropriate
• Experience working in high performance computing environment
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team
• Ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse and interdisciplinary research environment

This position is responsive to GEODE lab research priorities and thus specific tasks and duties must be completed, on schedule, by the postdoctoral research scholar(s) in response to timelines and deadlines.

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check.

Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus and NAU-Fort Defiance as these campuses have on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities.

The reports may be viewed at https://in.nau.edu/police-department/annual-security-and-fire-safety-reports/. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

**The starting salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected applicant balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

Post-Doctoral Scholars are hired on a contract basis, renewable each fiscal year for a maximum of 4 renewals (5 years) according to terms of the Arizona Board of Regents' Conditions of Post-Doctoral Service.

NAU offers an excellent benefit package to Post-Doctoral Scholars including generous health, dental and vision insurance; 10 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. Participation in NAU retirement plans is not available to Post-Doctoral Scholars. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days (https://in.nau.edu/Human-Resources/Required/). If your position includes the supervision of a benefit-eligible employee, we offer the NAU Supervisors Academy for you to complete within your first 2 years. In addition to the development classes offered in-person, every NAU employee receives a free subscription to Lynda.com. From this site you can access more than 1,400 training videos on a broad range of subjects, including business skills, photography, music and video, home computing, and web design and development.

Application Deadline

Open until further notice.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on line at https://in.nau.edu/human-resources/ or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.