Postdoctoral Researcher
Woodwell Climate Research Center Inc
Summary
Join Woodwell Climate's Research team as a Postdoctoral Researcher seeking to advance the science of quantifying and valuing the non-carbon climate benefits of Amazon basin forests with an emphasis on those stewarded by Indigenous and Quilombola Territories.
Job description
The successful candidate will have demonstrated research experience and/or a strong interest in understanding the primary biophysical mechanisms by which forests regulate climate (evapotranspiration (ET), surface roughness, and albedo) and the extent to which these mechanisms exert controls over local-to-regional patterns of temperature and precipitation.
Responsibilities
- Conducting research to quantify the non-carbon biophysical climate benefits of forests in Amazon Indigenous Territories and their contribution to temperature regulation and precipitation production
- Supporting colleagues in quantifying the economic value of these benefits at local-to-regional scales
- Interfacing with colleagues working on related research seeking to connect site-specific deforestation to hydrologic impacts (e.g., decreased rainfall) and the explicit valuation of these impacts
- Participating in project meetings, communicating progress, results, analytical challenges, and methodological decisions clearly and concisely
- Sharing progress with project partners including members of local NGOs and Indigenous organizations
- Contributing flexibly to related research projects as needed
- Produce peer-reviewed manuscripts suitable for publication in high-profile scientific journals
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Experience working with and/or producing evapotranspiration, surface roughness, and albedo data sets
- Experience in modeling temperature and/or precipitation impacts from biophysical drivers
- Familiarity with tropical forest and savanna ecosystems, particularly the Amazon and Cerrado
- Strong data science, machine learning and/or statistical analysis skills
- A solid background in programming for geospatial analysis using Python, R, or other languages
- Proficiency using GIS software such as Google Earth Engine, QGIS, and/or ArcGIS
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- Documented experience in scientific writing and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Superior communication, networking, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Strong quantitative reasoning, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Willingness to travel about 5% of the time
- Ability to engage professionally with research partners from different institutional and cultural contexts
Qualifications
Ph.D. degree in the biological sciences, ecology, geography, remote sensing, environmental science/data science, or a related field
Requirements
- Ph.D. degree in the biological sciences, ecology, geography, remote sensing, environmental science/data science, or a related field
- Experience working with and/or producing evapotranspiration, surface roughness, and albedo data sets
- Experience in modeling temperature and/or precipitation impacts from biophysical drivers
- Familiarity with tropical forest and savanna ecosystems, particularly the Amazon and Cerrado
- Strong data science, machine learning and/or statistical analysis skills
- A solid background in programming for geospatial analysis using Python, R, or other languages
- Proficiency using GIS software such as Google Earth Engine, QGIS, and/or ArcGIS
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- Documented experience in scientific writing and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Superior communication, networking, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Strong quantitative reasoning, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Willingness to travel about 5% of the time
- Ability to engage professionally with research partners from different institutional and cultural contexts
Benefits
- Generous benefits package
- Work life balance
Company overview
Woodwell Climate Research Center Inc is a leading scientific research organization dedicated to advancing climate science and environmental research. Formerly known as the Woods Hole Research Center, the organization focuses on understanding climate change impacts, carbon cycle dynamics, and ecosystem responses to environmental changes. The center conducts cutting-edge research in areas such as Arctic systems, tropical forests, carbon accounting, and climate policy. With a multidisciplinary approach that combines field research, remote sensing, and modeling, Woodwell Climate Research Center provides critical scientific insights to inform climate policy and conservation efforts. The organization collaborates with academic institutions, government agencies, and international partners to address pressing environmental challenges and develop science-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.