Research Associate - GEODE Lab

Research Associate - GEODE Lab

Location: SICCS
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job ID: 606077
Full/Part Time: Full-Time

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.



Job Description

This position supports research and development in the Global Earth Observation and Dynamics of Ecosystems (GEODE) Lab in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems (SICCS) at Northern Arizona University's Flagstaff campus. The research associate will work on projects focused on mapping, monitoring and modeling broad scale ecosystem changes, incorporating climate, land use and disturbance. The work will include extensive use of imagery from a range of sources, primarily satellite-based but also airborne remote sensing, climate observations, and climate projections to derive geospatial products characterizing ecosystem properties (e.g. canopy structure, biomass, habitat heterogeneity, disturbance severity, vegetation regrowth dynamics) and conservation priorities. Work will focus on a variety of ecosystems including boreal, temperate and tropical forests. There will be opportunities to work in the following areas: 1) fusing multi-sensor imagery, geospatial datasets and field observations to map and predict ecosystem properties and change, 2) modeling species distributions and vulnerability, 3) landscape connectivity modeling and landscape pattern analysis to identify biodiversity conservation priorities, 4) software and algorithm development using Python, Google Earth Engine, R and similar open source platforms. Ability to synthesize complex information and develop structured analyses in written and visual form is essential.

Essential Functions

Research and Publications - 70%

• Directs, monitors and participates in research activities including data collection, evaluation and analysis for remote sensing and projects in studying ecosystem responses to environmental change
• Conducts complex research work and independently reviews professional literature to design and apply appropriate research methodologies, techniques and procedures.
• Assists faculty researchers, or may act independently, in the planning and designing of research projects, establishing priorities and recommending schedules, time tables and costs.
• Co-authors or authors research papers and manuscripts for publication and presents them at conferences and workshops.
• Creates, fabricates, operates, maintains, repairs and trains others in the operation of research support equipment for the gathering and processing of research data.

Software Development - 20%

• Develops code, develops modules, performs software unit testing, integrated testing, and usability testing.
• Documents and archives code using GitHub, BitBucket, or other version control software.

Supervison - 5%

• Supervises activities of other research project staff and graduate students

Administrative Duties - 5%

• 
  Performs administrative functions such as helping to manage laboratory equipment (including drones); prioritizes and coordinates the use of data storage on Monsoon High Performance Computing Cluster.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant discipline.
• 4-6 years of research support experience.
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D in relevant discipline.
• May require additional training or certification.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of relevant research practices.
• Knowledge of research methods, protocols, data collection, and analysis.
• Knowledge of relevant research discipline.
• Knowledge of proper safety and compliance practices related to the conduct of research.
• Technical understanding and proficiency related to conducting relevant research procedures.
• Monitors and coordinates complex research activities with multiple components.
• Balances competing priorities and makes decisions regarding resource allocation.
• Organizes data and information and supports analysis; may conduct independent analysis or review.
• Communicates effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including external parties.
• Promotes a diverse, inclusive environment.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

As of 12/10/21, the Safer Federal Workforce employee vaccination requirement is currently suspended pending the outcome of a federal court-issued injunction. This injunction has suspended the recent executive order issued by President Biden requiring all employees of federal contractors to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. For current status of the vaccine requirement and/or questions, please visit FAQs for Employee Vaccination Requirement.

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 as this campus has 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. 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

Salary range begins at $54,779. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

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

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). 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. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of employment. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of employment.

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. 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.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

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

Application Deadline

Applications received by May 2, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. will be given full consideration. Applications received after that date may be considered until the position is filled.

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 the Human Resources website 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.



To apply, visit https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=606077&PostingSeq=1


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