http://www.neoninc.org/jobs/EDUAssociateScientist
Associate Scientist (Science Educator)
Overview
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a $430 million dollar observatory project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. For the next three decades NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. NEON will use cutting edge technology including an airborne observation platform that will capture images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, re-locatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who will observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. A leading edge cyber-infrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information. The Observatory will grow to 300+ personnel and will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
Summary:
Background: NEON Project BudBurst (PBB) staff and researchers from the Richardson Lab at Harvard University are collaborating on a new approach to engage citizen scientists in ecological research that will result in the large-scale categorization and/or annotation of remotely sensed phenological imagery from the PhenoCam network. Part of the proposed effort will include the development of instructional materials and technical resources to enable volunteers to participate easily.
The Associate Scientist develops significant portions of a new website and supporting educational materials that will include tutorials and modules. Modules should be designed to engage diverse audiences in the categorization and/or annotation of PhenoCam images, and to support the submission of additional plant phenology images via mobile devices. Specifically, the Associate Scientist will develop appropriate web-based technologies, applications, and interfaces to support the development of modules and tutorials for use in a pilot project designed to engage citizen scientists in the classification of remotely sensed imagery. This Boulder, CO based position will work in conjunction with NEON EDU and Public Engagement staff and will work collaboratively with a post-doc at Harvard University.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assists with organizing and attending an initial planning meeting in order to develop a detailed work plan based on proposed project goals, objectives, outcomes, and timelines.
• Contributes significantly to the design and development of a website interface to support educational and scientific aspects of the project that will include user registration, background science content, protocols, and that will incorporate various aspects of social media as appropriate.
• Contributes to design and development of web-based interface for image classification.
• Designs and develops instructional materials including online tutorials, modules, and incentives.
• Facilitates initial image classification trial with diverse user groups.
• Develops and implements recruitment plan that targets different user needs including secondary educators and their students, informal educators, amateur naturalists, and hobbyists.
• Revises project web-based materials and interfaces, incorporating initial user feedback.
• Contributes to development of virtual PhenoCam network trial.
• Incorporates instructional resources into existing NEON Citizen Science Academy online courses, as appropriate.
• Creates and submits final report with recommendations for future related effort.
• Collaborate with Harvard post doc, and internal departments.
• Follow and participate in the development of NEON safety and Field Operations policy and procedures.
Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
• Ph.D. in Science Education, Instructional Design, or Computer Science with a strong UX focus
• Recent PhD graduates may apply.
• Ability to organize and manage project plan and deliverables.
• Ability to balance self-directed work while being an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively while working in a team environment.
• Effective problem solving and analytical skills and ability to be detail oriented.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated ability to design and develop web-based applications.
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit scientific information for a general audience.
• Ability to work very effectively with diverse teams internally and externally.
• Effective problem-solving skills and ability to effectively apply experience, judgment, and creativity to both short- and long-term challenges.
• Ability to assist in the management of a project, overcome obstacles, and meet deliverable deadlines.
Preferred Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
• Knowledge and understanding of ecology, environmental science, or other related field of science.
• Knowledge of best practices in online citizen science programs including relevant technology for data analysis and visualization.
• Basic knowledge of how to use Dreamweaver, InDesign, Photoshop and/or other design software.
• Ability to use JavaScript libraries (e.g., jQuery,D3) to create web-based interactives and visualizations.
• Ability to use current generation social networking tools (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr) to engage potential participants in project activities.
• Familiarity with multi-media presentation of scientific concepts (e.g. using Adobe Captivate to present information).
Term:
This is a two year term position.
Must have permanent authorization for US employment.
