Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Remote sensing of fire effects on soil organic carbon

Wildfire occurrence and severity are known to be influenced by ecosystem hydrology, with peatland fires depending on soil moisture. Recent work has demonstrated the large impact of wildfires on soil drying, which can have implications for further wildfires and long-term carbon fluxes from peatlands.

This postdoctoral research associate post will use remote sensing data to assess wildfire occurrence, severity, and ecosystem recovery, combined with remote sensing of soil moisture and plant water content.

The post will initially be for 9 months with the possibility of a 15-month extension. It will be based in Cambridge but allow for travel to Stanford University in California to collaborate with other researchers, Prof. Alexandra Konings, and spend time with Adam Pellegrini's Stanford-based lab. Collaborations at Cambridge will include Prof. David Edwards.

Skills required:

1. Extensive Python/R experience evaluating remote sensing datasets at the global scale.
2. Familiarity with MODIS, SMAP, VOD and other products evaluating ecosystem water content and wildfires.
3. Familiarity with peatland distribution maps and carbon fluxes.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 9 months in the first instance.

Please quote reference PD45057 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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