The Forest Ecology Lab, under the guidance of Dr. John Battles (PI), with the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management (ESPM) within the Rausser College of Natural Resources (RCNR) at the University of California, Berkeley, is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of Junior or Assistant Specialist.

The Forest Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics Lab is a group of field ecologists who share an interest in understanding forest ecosystems. Robust, quantitative field studies form the core of our approach. Specifically, we want to know how and why forests change. Answering these questions is more than just an interesting academic puzzle. As a result of human enterprise (e.g., pollution, land transformations, biotic additions and losses), many forest ecosystems will experience fundamentally novel changes. In the face of this uncertainty, we need to understand the dynamics well enough to anticipate the likely direction and magnitude of responses.

In practice, we conduct field-based, context-dependent research that informs how real ecosystems respond to a changing environment. Research is primarily conducted in two specific areas:
(a) measuring the effects of tree mortality on carbon, fuel, and fire dynamics in the Sierra Nevada; and
(b) quantifying the contemporary and historical conditions of forests across California.

Duties of this position will support these two areas of inquiry.

The duties for the position will span four topics:
1) Assistance with the development, management, and analysis of forest science data. This assistance will entail data entry, development of database descriptions, quality control and quality assurance checks, and statistical analysis of key metrics.
2) Reporting of progress at quarterly intervals for the relevant projects. Reporting includes tracking the status of deliverables and tasks and summary of progress in the format required by the sponsor.
3) Assisting with core laboratory and/or field measurements. Lab assistance may include help with image analysis of canopy photos, determination of the carbon content of tree parts and soil, and processing and analyzing tree cores. Field assistance may include help with forest and fuel inventories, the collection of canopy photos and tree cores, and the deployment of terrestrial lidar scanning.
4) Contributions to the planning, analysis, and writing of peer-reviewed manuscripts and final reports. These contributions may include the drafting of figures and tables, the analysis of data, editing and proofreading text, and the compilation of references.

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent international degree.

• Degree in ecology, ecosystem science, forestry, geography, plant sciences, or a related field
• Strong R programing and GIS skills.
• Two years of post-baccalaureate research experience in forest ecosystem science

• 3 required (contact information only)

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.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

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.