The Genetic and Silvicultural Foundations for Management Team, USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station in Olympia, WA is advertising to fill 1 or 2 research positions on modeling plant responses to environment or management. The candidate will contribute to on-going studies that focus on testing hypotheses related to the growth and survival of Douglas-fir and other northwest tree species. The candidate will also develop statistical models based on research results. Examples of on-going studies include examining the impacts of bole damage on growth of Douglas-fir, modeling growth of small trees, and evaluating the impacts of genetic and environmental factors on growth and phenology. This involves data collection, compilation of data from multiple data sets, editing, and analysis of large data sets (>100,000 records) as well as providing training and equipment support to field crews.
More information on the team can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/olympia/silv/ Information about the Olympia area is at: http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/ Initial appointment will be 10 months. Position will be filled approximately Dec 1, 2011. Salary approximately $73,400 per year. Qualifications: (1) US citizen with a PhD in natural resources completed prior to beginning of employment. (2) High proficiency in the R statistical language. Skills in R should include: a) writing scripts to automate the process of combining, querying, and updating large databases and generating graphical reports; b) model fitting using nonlinear mixed-effects models; and c) developing graphical user interfaces for data exploration and model fitting. (3) Experience and proficiency working with Campbell data loggers such as the CR10X and CR1000. This means experience in programming and wiring data loggers with a wide range of sensors. (4) Demonstarted proficiency in developing field and laboratory data collection applications for touch screen handheld computers using SprintDB or similar program. It would be desirable if the applicant also had knowledge of regional growth models such as the forest vegetation simulator (FVS) and ORGANON and experience developing model components and knowledge of forest genetics including tree improvement programs and provenance studies. To apply, look for the position to be advertised in the near future on USAJOBS.gov. Follow the instructions on the website. Questions about the position (NOT the application process) can be directed to: Connie Harrington ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>)
