Postdoc in Remote Sensing of Biodiversity (Brazil/USA)

Project title: Dimensions US - Biota São Paulo: Assembly and evolution of the Amazonian biota and its environment: an integrated approach

Supervisors:

Dr. Thiago S. F. Silva, São Paulo State University (UNESP, Brazil)
Dr. Kyle McDonald City University of New York (CUNY, USA)

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

The project “Dimensions US - Biota São Paulo: Assembly and evolution of the Amazonian biota and its environment: an integrated approach” seeks to understand the evolutionary and environmental-ecological history of Amazonia through a comparative approach integrating systematic biology, population biology, ecosystem structure and function, geology, Earth system modeling and remote sensing, and paleoenvironmental history.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Candidates are sought who have a PhD in Environmental or Earth Sciences (Ecology, Geography, Geology and related fields) with strong expertise in processing and analyzing remote sensing data from a variety of sources. The candidate should be familiar with all major remote sensing software packages and possess a solid knowledge of tropical forest ecology and/or environmental history, as well as a track record of publication in international journals. Previous experience with microwave remote sensing and/or working with large datasets will be strongly preferred, and relevant statistical and programming skills (R, Python, IDL) are a valuable asset. Candidates must be proficient in oral and written English and willing and eligible to reside in Rio Claro, SP, Brazil, and well as spend appreciable time in New York City, USA. Preference will be given to candidates with the ability to communicate in Portuguese, and with availability for immediate start.


The postdoctoral candidate will contribute to assessing the current distribution of environmental variables and surface structure of the Amazon basin, and their relationship to underlying evolutionary and geologic processes. We will employ integrated data sets from optical and microwave to generate products that will support biogeographical research in the Amazon basin. The appointee will be expected to develop new and creative methods to derive ecologically sound datasets, using multisensor and multitemporal information at multiple spatial scales, integrated with the demands and activities of other members of the project, and to disseminate their findings by publishing on internationally renowned journals and presenting on scientific conferences.


PARTICULARS OF THE POSITION:


The fellowship is for 12 months and potentially extendable for a second year. The monthly salary is the equivalent to ~US$1500 (R$6.150) while in Brazil (allowing for comfortable living) and can be increased to ~US$4500 for up to 12 months while the candidate is in the US. Research Contingency Funds equal to 15% of the annual salary are available for research related expenses, such as field and lab costs and attending conferences.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Candidates of any nationality may apply. A cover letter, CV, up to two sample publications and the names of three contacts able to provide letters of recommendation upon request should be emailed to: tsfsilva@rc.unesp.br. Applications will be received until April 20th, 2016.


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Thiago Sanna Freire Silva
Professor Assistente Doutor


Ecosystem Dynamics Observatory
Departamento de Geografia
Instituto de Geociências e Ciência Exatas (IGCE)
Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Rio Claro, SP - Brasil


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