Associate Specialist – Dahlke Lab (Dept. of LAWR at UC Davis)

at  University of California Davis

POSITION OVERVIEW

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for Associate Specialist postion is $73,000-$85,000

POSITION DESCRIPTION

We have a hiring opportunity for a highly motivated candidate to work with the Dahlke Lab. Associate Specialists make significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in their academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. Appointees in the Specialist series may engage in university and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. The successful candidate will support our team to do research using GIS and remote sensing data and tools to support the coordination and implementation of local to regional-scale multi-benefit land repurposing programs (MLRP) across the State of California. The Assoc. Specialist will work closely with graduate students, extension specialists and advisors, State agencies, postdoc scholars and landowners to support long-term repurposing of lands least viable for agriculture and multi-benefit opportunities that convert land to less intensive water uses while maintaining natural and working lands. The successful candidate will assist with 1) collecting, modifying, reclassifying and analyzing geospatial datasets that will assist the multi-benefit land repurposing process, 2) conducting a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analyses combining different thematic layers of interest to identify lands for multi-benefit opportunities, 3) developing and maintaining geodatabases and workflows for geospatial analysis models developed for projects, 4) organizing and hosting stakeholder outreach workshops to explain and discuss MLRP goals, results, and adoption, 5) conducting literature reviews, writing reports and peer- reviewed papers, and presenting results to the scientific community, state agencies and other stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• PhD in Geography, Geographic Information Science, Environmental Science, or related discipline from an accredited US or international institution. (degree required at start of appointment)

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Strong skills in the use of ArcGIS Pro or related GIS-software and remote sensing analysis software including Google Earth Engines
• Strong understanding of geospatial data analysis and modeling
• Record of academic performance including peer-reviewed publications

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• Valid driver’s license.
• Effective communication skills.
• Experience working in a team setting, in the field.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders including private landowners, state and local agency staff, consultants.
• Experience in ArcGIS Pro, Erdas Imaging or eCognition, Google Earth Engine, Word, Excel, R or Python or other appropriate computer programs to organize, summarize and analyze geospatial data.
• Strong organizational skills,
• Familiarity with GIS and remote sensing data analysis,
• Experience in modifying and overlaying geospatial data based on instruction of the Principal Investigator and project partners,
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team,
• Time management and planning—to assure deadlines are met and field and lab-based work is completed and delivered to the PI and the State agencies.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements
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Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
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Cover Letter - 1) describing your research interests and experience relevant to this position,
2) indicating how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
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List of Publications
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Publication #1
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Publication #2
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Publication #3
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Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit
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Undergrad & Graduate Transcripts - if within 5 years of either degree
(Optional)
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Statement of Research (Optional)

REFERENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 4 required (contact information only)
  Apply link:
  Help contact: dacrum@ucdavis.edu

I. Research in specialized areas (80%)

• Scope, modify, analyze, and spatially combine different geospatial datasets sourced from local, state and federal agency sources
• Develop and maintain a Geodatabase of collected geospatial data for sharing with lab members, project partners, and local stakeholders involved in the project
• Develop a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) specifically focused on combining biophysical and socio-economic data with outputs from groundwater modeling to identify and prioritize suitable locations for multi-benefit groundwater recharge.
• Assist in the planning and hosting of stakeholder workshops to discuss the MCDA approach, included datasets, and preliminary findings to receive feedback on whether the results meet the goals project partners and landowners participating in the multi-benefit land repurposing (MLRP) process.
• Participate in site visits of land parcels that have been identified as suitable for MLRP opportunities
• Assist the Dahlke lab and its team members in field equipment deployment when large volume of work requires whole lab to participate in field activities
• Assist in the data collection, sensor maintenance and retrieval as needed
• Conduct literature search of relevant articles related to the goals of the research projects
• Work with PIs, graduate students and other members of the research team to plan and execute research projects
• Participate in discussions on research and the interpretation of research results
• Help write and review reports with project outcomes and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications

II. Professional Competence and Activity (10%)
The Assoc. Specialist will be encouraged to participate in local meetings, scientific discussions and seminars and lead or co-author oral or poster presentations with a focus on topics relevant to the project.
III. University and Public Service (10%)
The Assoc. Specialist will provide mentorship for graduate and undergraduate students and postdocs working in the laboratory and assist in developing outreach materials for stakeholder meetings.