Research Associate

The role

A postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) position is available to develop novel remote sensing approaches to track how the 3D structure of tropical forest canopies recovers following disturbance from logging. The PDRA will be based in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol within the research group of Dr Tommaso Jucker (https://www.selvalab.org). This is a 2-year full time position with a proposed start date of 1st June 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter.

What will you be doing?

You will use a combination of airborne laser scanning (ALS) and satellite time series data to better understand how the 3D structure of tropical forest canopies recovers in the aftermath of logging. The project will initially focus on the Sabah Biodiversity Experiment in Malaysian Borneo, where repeat ALS data will be used to test the effectiveness of different restoration interventions (e.g., tree planting and liana cutting) for speeding up the recovery of selectively logged tropical forests. You will then apply these analytical approaches to other tropical regions, leveraging a newly compiled pan-tropical ALS database alongside with satellite time series data. You will be embedded within an international team of forest ecologists and remote sensing scientists funded through a recent NERC grant. In particular, the project will involve close collaboration with Prof. David Coomes at the University of Cambridge and Prof. Andy Hector at the University of Oxford. You will be expected to lead the analyses of the remote sensing data, write-up the findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present results at international conferences and project meetings.

You should apply if

You will have a PhD in forest ecology, remote sensing or other relevant subject, with a strong computational background and previous experience working with ALS and/or satellite data. You will be highly motivated, collaborative and an excellent communicator, as well as having a demonstrable desire to learn new skills. Training and guidance will be provided in database management, ALS data processing and analysis, as well as statistical modelling and scientific writing. Within the broad remit of the project, there is scope for you to help shape the focus and direction of the research based on your expertise and interests.

Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact Tommaso Jucker (t.jucker@bristol.ac.uk).

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