Easter Seals Jobs

This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/12496418 Research Scientist in Ecosystem Modeling - Agroecosystem Sustainability Center

ASC - Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

As one of the nation\'s leading research institutions, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been shaping the future since 1867. Our research enterprise drives student experiences and community engagement, powering innovation and positive change locally, nationally, and globally.

The Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) is a new research center aiming to be a world leading innovation powerhouse in advanced monitoring and modeling of agroecosystems for improving sustainability under climate change. ASC is jointly funded by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment (iSEE), the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (OVCRI). ASC gathers leading researchers from across the UIUC campus in the subject areas of biophysical and biochemical research in agroecosystems, primarily focusing on whole-plant and landscape-level studies to regional and global applications. The research is driven by co-founding and affiliated faculty members, professional staff scientists, postdocs and graduate students to advance science goals and technological innovations, with clear motivation to generate real-world solutions and impacts. ASC also has plans to work closely with industry partners and bring truly interdisciplinary educational opportunities for aspiring students at UIUC.

Job Summary

Lead research projects on sustainable agriculture and global environmental change regarding productivity and environmental sustainability in agroecosystem across a variety of scales from the field, regional to the globe using the tools of advanced ecosystem models, machine learning, data assimilation, and high-performance computation, with the constraints from the satellites observations and in-situ measurements; publish research output in academic journals and conferences; lead on project management and student/postdoc mentoring; and prepare and complete proposal writing

Duties & Responsibilities

• Research - 80%
  • Conduct the field- to regional-scale modeling of productivity and environmental sustainability of agroecosystems using the advanced ecosystem model with the constraint of in-situ observations, satellite products.
  • Publish and disseminate research outputs in journals and at conferences.
  • Write proposals to secure continuous research funds.
• Project Management - 20%
  • Lead and manage research projects
  • Support research team management and student/postdoc mentoring
  • Manage computing resources and onboard new team members in computing

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD degree in ecosystem modeling, environmental science, earth system sciences, or related field.
• Required experience:
  • Experience with using advanced agroecosystem models, ideally the ecosystem model, to simulate productivity and ecosystem service to guide improved management practices at large scales.
  • Experience with using data assimilation and observations from in-situ sensors or satellite products (gross primary productivity, leaf area index, yield, GHGs, etc.) to quantify productivity and ecosystem service using the process-based modeling, such as hydrological/agroecosystem modeling.
  • Experience with using surrogate models to improve the efficiency of the process-based models.
  • Experience with data assimilation, machine learning, and optimization techniques.
  • Experience in student mentoring.
  • Publication in domain leading journals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Adaptability - changes behavioral style or method of approach when necessary to achieve a goal; adjusts style as appropriate to the needs of the situation. Responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives.

Attention to Detail - thoroughness in accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small. Monitors and checks work or information and plans and organizes time and resources efficiently.

Collaboration - develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.

Communication - excellent writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

Drive for Results - demonstrates concern for achieving or surpassing results against an internal or external standard of excellence. Shows a passion for improving the delivery of services with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Problem Solving - builds a logical approach to address problems or opportunities or manage the situation at hand by drawing on one\'s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.

Reliability - demonstrates a high level of dependability in all aspects of the job.

Service - demonstrates strong commitment to meeting the needs of co-w