Closing 9 October

Under the direction of the Project Lead, the Research Fellow will support the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship project titled Forest Restoration and Climate Experiment (FoRCE). FoRCE is a pantropical experiment, with permanent field plots in Tanzania, Australia, Colombia and Vietnam. The project aims to measure and understand long-term tropical forest dynamics and interactions with climate, human disturbance and experimental management. The project is using a combination of permanent sampling plots, hemispherical photographs, experimental vine removal and remote sensing.

The Research Fellow will support the daily research activities of the project and will collaborate on a globally significant postdoctoral project, using vegetation plot data to measure and model the dynamic relationship between trees and lianas and interactions with climate and human disturbance, to determine the global consequences for forest biodiversity, biomass and forest successional trajectories.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The applicants need to demonstrate:

• Completion of a relevant doctoral qualification in a relevant field (i.e. forest ecology, ecosystem science) or equivalent accreditation and standing and experience as a researcher.
• Research experience including acknowledged research outputs, refereed publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals related to the fields of forestry, ecology, and environmental management; participation in diverse and interdisciplinary research teams and a research track record in disciplines relevant to the discipline/field.
• Experience in the development or handling of large datasets;
• Advanced spatial analysis skills using either R, Python, Matlab or GIS software;
• Experience in conducting fieldwork in tropical environments;
• Outreach activities (including engagement with external partners), including membership of and sound connections with relevant professional bodies and community groups and/or in professional practice.
• Contribution to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment which is conducive to engagement and achievement for both staff and students.
• Strong personal qualities and collegial approaches that contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment and the development of new partnerships.
• The desire to participate in academic development activities and continue to learn and improve as an effective academic.
• The ability to meet deadlines and take initiative in completing work.

The following skills would also be desirable but are not essential:

• Experience in the development of mathematical models through computer programming;
• Experience with dynamic vegetation models;
• Experience in the use of LiDAR for measuring ecosystem structure

Enquiries: Prof. Andy Marshall, , +61 498 072 332
Project website: http://force-experiment.com/
Full job advert and submission details: https://www.usc.edu.au/about/work-at-unisc (search for Job ID 23285 under Explore Current Vacancies) or see the POSITION DESCRIPTION
Submission requirements: Resume including two academic references, and itemised response to the selection criteria.