Research Scientist Senior

New Mexico State University • Las Cruces, NM

4d

About The Position

The Jornada Experimental Range is seeking a senior Research Scientist to advance next-generation estimates of primary production in rangeland ecosystems. The successful candidate will lead efforts to critically evaluate and improve components of the Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP) production model, including the MOD17 algorithm, field observations, and eddy flux data. The role may also explore applications of RAP production data to grazing management, with substantial intellectual freedom to innovate at the intersection of rangeland ecology and management, remote sensing, and earth system modeling.

This one-year appointment, contingent upon external funding, focuses on computational agroecology. The position requires skills and expertise in software engineering and data science, along with demonstrated expertise in automated data collection and processing and machine learning in the context of rangeland ecosystems.

Requirements

• Associate's degree and 11 years of relevant experience, or a bachelor's degree and 9 years of relevant experience.
• Skills and expertise in software engineering and data science.
• Demonstrated expertise in automated data collection and processing and machine learning in the context of rangeland ecosystems.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or higher.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain automated QA/QC and data processing for streaming data from the Jornada Experimental Range, including Phenocams, eddy covariance towers, wind instruments, and weather stations.
• Integrate multiple sources of climate data into a single database and make harmonized data available to users through web applications.
• Implement machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of plant phenological classification, ecological state mapping, and forage production estimation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Lead efforts to critically evaluate and improve components of the Rangeland Analysis Platform production model, including the MOD17 algorithm, field observations, and eddy flux data.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree