PH.D. RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP IN GEOSPATIAL SCIENCES AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (SDSU)
I am seeking a motivated Ph.D. student to pursue interdisciplinary research in the field of geospatial sciences. The student will have the opportunity to develop their own research related to one of my ongoing research projects. I. The NASA-funded Multiple Indicators Detecting Significant Trends (MIDST) project seeks to answer the question: Where in the western hemisphere is the vegetated land surface changing significantly during the past 15+ years in response to direct human impacts? The MIDST system will use multiple products from the following sensors: MODIS, AMSR-E/AMSR2, AIRS/AMSU-A, MOPITT, CERES, TRMM, in conjunction with the NASA Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS). Two thematic areas for particular emphasis on characterizing change are the megacities and conurbations of the western hemisphere and the cerrado of Brazil. Project team includes Dr. Xiaoyang Zhang of SDSU and Dr. Kirsten de Beurs of the University of Oklahoma. II. The NASA-funded interdisciplinary project "Storms, Forms, and Complexity of the Urban Canopy" seeks to answer the question: How do land use, settlement patterns, and the shapes of cities interact to influence the behavior of severe storms? Of particular interest is the modulation of land surface phenology in urbanized and urbanizing areas and the linkages to the urban heat island effect. Applicants should have earned master's degree in ecology, geography, environmental science, or a closely related discipline along with a strong conceptual background in landscape ecology, land change science, ecological remote sensing, or other appropriate field. Position is based at the Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence (GSCE), a dynamic internationally recognized research center at SDSU located in Brookings, SD. South Dakota was recently ranked the state with the 5th highest quality of life in the US. The GSCE is a friendly research environment that has excellent research infrastructure and computing support. Visit http://globalmonitoring.sdstate.edu A background in geographic information systems, experience with remote sensing data processing and analysis, computer programming skills, and knowledge of ENVI/IDL and the R environment are all highly desirable. The student will pursue a Ph.D. in Geospatial Science and Engineering, an interdisciplinary degree program at South Dakota State University. Potential starting dates are Fall 2014 or Spring 2015. GRA stipend is $30,000 for a 12-month 0.49 FTE position and benefits include medical insurance. To apply for this position, send the following information in electronic form to the address below: Curriculum Vitae, 1-page statement of research interests, and copies of transcripts. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Non-US citizens may apply. |"|"|""//*\\""|"|"| Geoffrey M. Henebry, Ph.D., C.S.E. Professor of Natural Resource Management Co-Director & Senior Research Scientist Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence (GSCE) South Dakota State University 1021 Medary Ave., Wecota Hall 506B Brookings, SD 57007-3510, USA voice: 1-605-688-5351 (-5227 FAX) email: geoffrey.hene...@sdstate.edu http://globalmonitoring.sdstate.edu/content/henebry-geoffrey-m