Seeking postdoctoral researcher: pollen forecasting and remote sensing of trees

[Kai Zhu]

Dear colleagues,

Please see this postdoctoral opportunity in remote sensing and modeling of airborne pollen at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. For more details, please visit https://www.thekatzlab.com/join-us.html or refer to the job posting below. Thank you.

Regards,

Kai

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Kai Zhu, PhD

Associate Professor

School for Environment and Sustainability

University of Michigan

https://zhulab.seas.umich.edu

 

Seeking postdoctoral researcher: pollen forecasting and remote sensing of trees

 

Summary

Seeking postdoctoral researcher to develop models of airborne pollen concentrations using remote sensing, field data, and other spatial datasets.

 

Description

We are an interdisciplinary NASA-funded team creating process-based models of airborne pollen concentrations of Juniperus ashei in Texas. Our goal is to create the information and data pipelines necessary to create and disseminate operational pollen forecasts to improve public health.

 

This position will focus on several components of the project, potentially including: creating phenological models based on remote sensing data, citizen science observations, and field observations; bridging from UAV to satellite images to estimate pollen production rates across large regions, and; merging these and other datasets to create near-term iterative forecasts of pollen release. The resulting datasets will be used for atmospheric dispersion modeling and epidemiological analyses; the postdoc will also have the opportunity to participate in these teams. Other potential foci include forecast dissemination and commercialization.

 

This position is primarily based in the Katz Lab (https://www.thekatzlab.com) in the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY but will include extensive collaboration with Drs. Hosein Foroutan, Theresa Crimmins, and Kai Zhu. Remote working arrangements may be considered for excellent candidates but occasional in-person attendance of team meetings will be required (travel expenses will be covered).

Required qualifications

Ph.D. in remote sensing, ecology, statistics, geography, or a related field and experience with remote sensing analyses and programming in R or Python. Ability to work independently and as part of a team is required as are excellent organizational and communication skills. Experience with plant ecology and spatial modeling is relevant as is interest in entrepreneurship.

Availability

Anticipated start date is fall 2025 although some flexibility is possible. Appointment is initially for one year with reappointment for an additional one to two years upon good performance.

Application Instructions 

Please send a cover letter, CV, and names and contact information for three references to Dan Katz (dan...@cornell.edu). Review of applications is ongoing and pre-application inquiries are welcome. Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in science to apply. Salary and benefits are highly competitive.