Postdoc Employee AI for Natural Capital & Biodiversity ESPM: Ecosystems Sciences
University of California Berkeley
Application
Details
Posted: 25-Dec-24
Location: Berkeley, California
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: 5895245
Postdoc Employee AI for Natural Capital & Biodiversity ESPM: Ecosystems Sciences
Position overviewPosition title: Postdoc Employee Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/oct-2024-scales/t23.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is $66,737 - $74,425.
Percent time: 100
Anticipated start: Spring 2025
Position duration: 2 years with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.
Application Window Open date: December 23, 2024
Most recent review date: Tuesday, Jan 7, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Potts group at UC Berkeley seeks a postdoctoral researcher in the area of natural capital and biodiversity with a specific focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to innovate and scale action.
The interdisciplinary group utilizes qualitative and quantitative tools to solve key problems impeding action in conserving forests, restoring biodiversity, and scaling natural pathways for carbon sequestration.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) has set ambitious goals for conserving and restoring biodiversity as well as mobilizing public and private sector action and finance to meet these goals. Coupled to this has been the emergence of mandatory (European Union's [EU] Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive [CSRD]) as well as voluntary (Taskforce on Nature Related Financial Disclosures [TNFD]) reporting regimes. In addition, a nascent but developing market has emerged for biodiversity and/or net natural positive credits. The success of these initiatives in part will rely on providing actionable scientific information on biodiversity and natural capital at policy and market relative spatial and temporal scales. Big data and AI including but not limited to large language models (LLM) in combination with field data and remotely sensed satellite, acoustic, camera, and genetic data have a critical role to play in driving action.
The postdoctoral researcher for this position will work to identify and develop novel data-enabled solutions to accurately and efficiently measure and report on natural capital and biodiversity to provide actionable information to track change and scale restorative actions.
Responsibilities:
Provide domain specific research to improve scientific understanding of in the area of natural capital and biodiversity
Interviewing relevant parties working in the space
Collating and collecting as necessary available information and data
Coordinating data management, quality control, and archiving
Developing code, datasets, and applications as appropriate
Co-mentoring at team of one 1-2 graduate students and 3-4 undergraduate researchers each year;
Disseminating research results to the broader scientific community via peer reviewed publications, conferences, and seminars
Preparing manuscripts for publication, as lead author.
Mentoring The postdoctoral researcher will meet regularly with the PI and will participate in regular goal-setting and development plan activities. They would have the opportunity to participate in campus data science initiatives, faculty development, and other professional development opportunities. They would have the opportunity to guest lecture in the PI's classes and to mentor students. They would be able to use project funds to attend one USA-based conference each year.
Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD degree program (or equivalent international degree)
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
PhD (or equivalent international degree) by the start date No more than three years of post-degree research experience by start date
Preferred qualifications
Demonstrate a rigorous and scholarly approach to their science, with a strong track record of publication and outreach
Be a compassionate, professional, and reliable team player who values creating and maintaining healthy relationships with partners
Have strong communication and diplomacy skills to give and receive feedback, celebrate successes, and constructively confront challenges
Have excellent time management and organizational skills
Have a PhD in mathematics, bioinformatics, computer science, data science, applied mathematics, economics, environmental science, ecology or biology
Demonstrate fluency with quantitative and/or qualitative methods most relevant to the opportunity
Experience or interest in software design and data curation
Application Requirements
Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
'Misconduct' means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
The University of California was chartered in 1868 and its flagship campus - envisioned as a "City of Learning" - was established at Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay. Today the world's premier public university and a wellspring of innovation, UC Berkeley occupies a 1,232 acre campus with a sylvan 178-acre central core. From this home its academic community makes key contributions to the economic and social well-being of the Bay Area, California, and the nation.