Research Assistant/Associate, GIS & Remote Sensing: Tropical Land Use/Land Cover Change — San Francisco, CA
Organization: Amazon Environmental Research Institute International Program (IPAM-IP)
Job Title: Research Assistant/Associate, GIS & Remote Sensing: Tropical Land Use/Land Cover Change
Location: San Francisco, CA
Hours and Compensation: Full Time — Based on experience
Application Deadline: Oct. 15, 2012
Position Dates: Start ASAP
Posted On: Sep. 18, 2012
Organization Overview
The Amazon Environmental Research Institute International Program (IPAM-IP) is a non-profit organization that conducts research, policy analysis, and capacity‐building in support of low-emission rural development and natural resource conservation in the developing world. With offices in San Francisco, IPAM-IP acts as the international arm of the Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia (IPAM), a non-governmental organization headquartered in Brazil with a seventeen year history of ecological research and sustainable development initiatives in the Amazon. For more information on IPAM International Program, please visit http://www.ipam.org.br/programas/item/IPAM-IP-International-Program/8.
Description
IPAM-IP seeks a research assistant/associate to assist with geospatial analysis and modeling, including processing remotely sensed imagery, for research projects focused on (1) mapping and monitoring of land-use in the tropics, incorporating spatial and other data, and (2) mapping, monitoring, and modeling for policy analysis in the tropics, from local to global scales. The position requires advanced experience obtaining and processing a broad range of geospatial data, using a variety of software and geospatial tools and approaches, and the ability to manipulate large datasets and manage databases. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, show initiative, have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and possess the ability to continuously learn new technical skills as needed.
Responsibilities
- Support the “Agricultural Commodity Roundtables and REDD+” program and related projects;
- Organize and manage extensive spatial databases, and support and lead efforts to map land use and land use change;
- Prepare data for and carry out a variety of spatial analyses in collaboration with staff scientists;
- Acquire and process geospatial datasets from multiple sources, including pre-processing and and analyzing satellite imagery (from multiple sources, but especially Landsat and MODIS sensors);
- Manage and administer licenses and license and data server;
- Assist in developing and writing proposals, manuscripts, presentations, etc.
Qualifications
- B.A./B.S. or M.S. in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), or alternative qualifications in applied GIS with a degree in environmental studies, or other relevant subject
- Experience in processing multi-sensor imagery for mapping applications
- Experience with standard GIS and digital image processing software packages (e.g., ArcGIS, Erdas, Imagine, Idrisi, ENVI/IDL, ECognition and/or open source alternatives)
- Experience in developing geospatial models (including dynamic modeling)
- Experience with geospatial script writing (e.g., Python, R, C/C++, Java, etc.)
- Experience in performing GIS tasks in a multiple operating systems (Windows/Linux/Mac)
- Programming experience to automate tasks highly desirable
- Work well in a collaborative setting and have excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent written and spoken English a must
- Written and spoken language skills in Portuguese, Spanish, French, and/or Indonesian a plus
- IT skills/experience a plus
- Experience working in an international environment a plus
How to Apply
Please send cover letter referencing Job# 3302FHCS, curriculum vitae, and contact information for 3 references to [email protected]. Please reference Job# 3302FHCS,in the subject line of the email.
