Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.), a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology, has an immediate opening for a Data Products Team Lead. We are currently designing the NEON project – an observatory comprising more than 60 atmospheric, environmental and biological monitoring sites distributed throughout twenty domains across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska & the Caribbean, monitored and controlled in real-time from our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado. The primary outputs of the NEON Observatory are ecological Data Products, including the measurements taken by NEON’s sensor infrastructure and the results of NEON biological samples, and higher-level integrated Data Products based upon the measurements and resulting from complex algorithms. The high level Data Products will translate NEON in situ and remote observations into continental-scale estimates and forecasts using simulation and statistical approaches. The Data Products Team Lead will lead a critical effort within NEON and should be an international leader in environmental science and modeling, and have broad knowledge of ecological modeling and data analysis. Location This position will be based in Boulder CO.
Summary The DP Team Lead will be responsible for leading the development and publishing the NEON Observatory High Level Data Product algorithms, including defining, documenting and implementing the algorithms used to convert NEON’s environmental data into information that can be used by the scientific community and the general public. We are looking for a leading quantitative ecologist interested in playing a major role in the future of the field designing computational intensive, tera-scale data analyses within the NEON context. NEON High Level Data Products include biophysical, biogeochemical, geospatial, population/community and genomic/metagenomic variables. NEON data products will be developed by collaborative teams, including extensive interaction with the scientific community. This is an autonomous role, requiring an experienced highly-motivated individual who is flexible and enthusiastic. The person will be responsible for direct management, including technical leadership and supervision, of a group of scientists, and will regularly report to project management and stakeholders, and organize and participate in internal and external reviews. The Data Products Team Lead will report directly to the NEON Project Manager. A Data Products Oversight Committee (chaired by the NEON Director) will provide strategic and implementation advice to the Data Products Team Lead. The person will be encouraged to play a leading role in studies and related publications of new Observatory measurements and Data Products, in support of our mission. We are looking a problem solver who can successfully apply experience, judgment, and creativity to both short- and long-term challenges, and get the job done on-time and within-budget in a high-pressure environment. NEON data cover an extremely broad range of topics including microbial genomes, traditional organism based field measurements, instrumental measurements of atmospheric and aquatic physical and chemical environments, airborne remote sensing and satellite and census based geographic products. Therefore, we seek a scientist with a very broad experience in quantitative environmental science with a profound knowledge of at least one of the major NEON subject areas: modeling/analysis of biodiversity, biogeochemistry, invasive species, infectious disease, ecohydrology, climate and land use. The incumbent will represent NEON nationally and internationally in ecological and eco-informatics, and should be an effective speaker and writer. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Intellectual and operational leadership of the Data Products activity within NEON, and interacting with the broad scientific community regarding the state, improvement, extension and enhancement of the Data Products activity. • Selecting and developing talent to deliver NEON Observatory Data Products, organizing and managing data product team to develop data product algorithms. • Define requirements for, design and implementation of the algorithms supporting the conversion of NEON Observatory measurements into Data Products for the ecological community. • Plan and manage workflow components in support of the NEON project. • Support NEON Observatory operations, and participate in R&D projects to prepare for future programs and projects and Data Products. • Understand and where necessary define administrative and project management processes essential to the Data Products Team, including planning, tracking and reporting to assess project performance. • Interface with NEON science product teams and cyberinfrastructure teams Education • Ph.D. in ecology, bioinformatics or a related environmental science field, preferably with a broad understanding of the present state of ecological research and modeling technologies, including bioinformatics. Required Experience • A minimum of 7 years scientific or engineering experience to quickly learn the broad range of environmental science topics of NEON; some exposure to large scientific facilities and dispersed collaborations of scientists, is required. • Experience in successfully managing a diverse range of scientific and professional staff and/or teams of software developers. • Fluency in modern project software. • Experience in start-up environments would be beneficial. Skills and Abilities: • Highly-developed interpersonal and communications and negotiation skills, with proven ability to manage external contractual relationships. • Excellence in written communication and good presentation skills are expected. Apply at: www.neoninc.org Include your cover letter, CV, and list of references NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
