Data Scientist - Forest Futures Lab

• Work collaboratively within the Fire Collaborative to harmonize and analyze geospatial and remote sensing data to address actionable questions relevant to decision makers.
• Conduct analyses of existing products in Google Earth Engine and with machine learning techniques.
• Develop interactive, engaging, and accessible data summaries and visualizations of scientific data for non-academic audiences.
• Contribute to other scientists' analysis and workflows and to a dynamic interdisciplinary research environment at the Cary Institute.

This role contributes to the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative, which co-creates and implements research to ensure predictive science of fire ecology and forest resilience supports effective strategies to address the fire crisis, helping protect ecosystems and communities.

• Ph.D. in forest ecology, disturbance ecology, ecosystem modeling, AI, or a related field prior to appointment.
• Demonstrated expertise in ecosystem, landscape, geospatial, and remote sensing analysis, including using R, Python, JavaScript, and/or C++.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team, and strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize and analyze large ecological datasets and engage effectively with stakeholders and research teams.

This is a full-time, fully benefitted exempt position with a one-year initial appointment, renewable for an additional year contingent on performance and funding. Annual salary ranges from $70,000 to $85,000, based on previous experience, with a highly competitive benefits and time-off package.

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies leads the Forest Futures Lab and the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative, focusing on research to address fire ecology and forest resilience to support effective strategies for the fire crisis.