The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is currently seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to be based at the Smithsonian’s office in Yangon, Myanmar.
Successful candidates will be expected to develop innovative and applied new research to model terrestrial biodiversity for the Tanintharyi region of southern Myanmar. This will include working with local and international partners to compile existing information on the distribution of terrestrial species, developing new and current assessments of land cover/forest cover change for the Tanintharyi, and integrating species distribution data with land cover change information. The postdoctoral associate will also be a point person for developing targeted training and capacity building activities to advance the state of biodiversity mapping and planning in Myanmar.
This is a full-time, 1-year initial appointment, renewable for an additional year. The position is mostly based in Yangon, Myanmar (75% of the time), with some time spent at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, VA, to coordinate research and modeling with Smithsonian senior scientists (25% of the time).
Qualifications:
The postdoctoral scientist will have extensive experience in the application of spatial analysis and satellite remote sensing to species conservation. He/she must have a strong background in conservation and spatial ecology, with significant quantitative skills, specifically in:
- Using remote sensing to create land cover and land cover change data
- Linking environmental data from remote sensing with species location data
- Analyzing species distribution data
- Developing habitat and distribution models.
The postdoctoral scientist also needs to have advanced knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), as well as the use of R for analyzing data and programming.
Background
Myanmar’s Tanintharyi Region is a global biodiversity hotspot that provides critical habitat for endangered species and invaluable ecosystem services to people. It is part of one of largest contiguous Asian forest landscapes and includes rare Sundaic lowland evergreen forests as well as strongholds for tiger, elephant, Gurney’s pitta, and other endangered terrestrial species. The region stretches across 400 miles of coastline and encompasses interconnected coastal systems of mangroves, seagrass and mud flats along with fringing coral reefs through the Myeik archipelago and further off shore. Due to years of isolation, Myanmar lacks the latest knowledge and best practices in management and conservation science. Further, the country is facing both internal and external pressure to develop its natural assets for industrial gain. There is an urgent need to develop data and models needed for effective conservation planning.
To apply: submit a cover letter, CV, and the names and contact information for 3 references to scbi.gis@gmail.com by January 31.