Position on forest ecosystem monitoring using drone technology and remote sensing

A new position to conduct pre/post-doctoral research is open at CEMFOR (CTFC) - CREAF Joint research unit (InFOREST JRU) for one year (with the possibility of an extension) in the context of the new joint research unit between the two research institutions and the NEWFORESTS project.

We are seeking multi-disciplinary technology hearted researchers to investigate the possibilities of drone technology in forest health monitoring and dynamics with a focus on boreal and Mediterranean forest contexts.

Main focus of the work will be on testing and applying state-of-the-art methods and models in forest and biodiversity dynamics modelling at stand and landscape scales using drone-derived images taken with a variety of sensors. More specifically the candidates will:

- Integrate drone acquired imagery into analyses of forest health and disturbance dynamics.

- Translate the acquired knowledge on processes and interactions into operational tools.

 - Increase research capacity by efficient interaction with other related projects in this research area.

The position is for one year and will be initially based in Montreal (Canada) for a minimum of 10 months with a shorter stay in Solsona (Spain).

Requirements

- Master degree in environmental sciences (ecology, forestry, geography or similar).

- Experience in drone technology (ie. pilot license). - Proven skills in remote sensing analyses.

- Experience in scientific publications.

- EU (European citizenship).

Institutional context and collaborations

The InFOREST JRU is a joint research venture by CTFC and CREAF. These are two forest research centres belonging to the Catalan network CERCA. A strength of CREAF-CTFC is that it is built on strong national, European and global networks. Collaborating with scientists within CREAF-CTFC and with the InForest research partners across Europe, America and Australia will greatly expand the candidate international network.

Research context

The NEWFORESTS exchange program brings together researchers from 5 research institutions: two from public research centres in Spain, Forest Sciences Centre of Catalonia (CTFC) and Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), one French institution, Bio-Archaeology and Ecology Centre (CBAE), and two Canadian Universities (University du Québec à Montréal, UQAM, and in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, UQAT) hosting two of the main hubs of the Centre for Forest Research (CEF). The aim of the NEWFORESTS project is to create a competitive platform at the international level to analyse the responses of forest ecosystems to global changes and integrate current knowledge in sound and innovative forest management and planning approaches. The general objective of the program is to determine how to effectively integrate woodland management (including non-management options) into strategies aimed to adjust and mitigate global change. The program is organized in 5 thematic work packages ranging from the basic understanding of forests dynamics, biodiversity and functioning to research on interactions between global change drivers determining disturbances regimes and the integration of the gathered knowledge into advanced modeling tools and sound management guidelines at different spatial scales. A fundamental aspect of the program is that it stresses not only the responsibility of human society as a major driver of global change, but also recognizes that we have an opportunity to mitigate this change through informed, proper management decisions

Working conditions

- Salary about 1650 euros (depending on experience, taxes included). Travel to Canada covered by the project. Other travelling costs not included.

- Working place in Montreal (Canada) and Solsona (120 km north of Barcelona, Spain), CEMFOR-CTFC.

Send CV, a motivation letter (one page maximum), via e-mail before January 15th 2016 to: lluis.brotons@ctfc.cat Lluís Brotons, InForest (CEMFOR-CREAF-CSIC), Solsona.