The researcher will design and implement a field campaign to quantify impacts of earthworks on soil texture, vegetation, and soil moisture. The researcher will use these field data to document impacts and to evaluate hypotheses related to amount of moisture storage, depth of storage, and amount of vegetation enhancement around berms. The researcher will work independently to lead the field data collection and evaluate findings, managing assistance from support staff and students.
The researcher will also work with repeat structure-from-motion scans to quantify the extent of erosion caused by degraded earthworks and the rate of soil loss in the vicinity. The researcher will design follow-up field campaigns to extend the findings of this work through additional surveying at similar degraded sites or by finding other opportunities to take advantage of repeat elevation surveys in other locations.
Responsibilities include: data analysis; design and implementation of field data collection; review results with managers and project scientists; scientific writing for publication of two or more peer-reviewed manuscripts; fully integrates project initiates; meeting with stakeholders to communicate findings; and collaborate with USDA scientists to coordinate deliverables, assess the implications to the project, analyze the data, and provide recommendations for best practices and future use cases..
The selected candidate is required to have a PhD in hydrology, remote sensing, or a related field. The candidate should have strong communication skills, familiarity with field data collection in hydrology and soil science, computational skills including statistical and quantitative analysis, and programming ability in python. Experience with Google Earth Engine and/or rangeland vegetation or hydrology is a bonus.
The position will be based at the USDA Agricultural Research Service office in Tucson, Arizona. For further information, please contact Dr. Dana Lapides (dana.lapides@usda.gov). Complete applications include a cover letter, CV, three references for solicitation of letters of recommendation, and a one-to-two page statement of professional interests. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Application review will begin October 6, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.
