Purpose of the Position:

The SERVIR Science Coordination Office (SCO) is seeking a Research Scientist to serve as the Global Food Security and Agriculture and Water Resources Thematic Lead (TL). 

The portfolios of Food Security, Agriculture, and Water Resources are rapidly growing with increasing numbers of science applications being developed, and training conducted, to meet the needs of SERVIR regions. 

The role of the Thematic Lead will be to lead the research portfolio of SERVIR’s Food Security and Agriculture and Water Resources projects. 

The TL will be responsible for guiding the program in strategic areas of growth and building upon the sustainable co-development model of SERVIR. 

This includes coordinating across the SERVIR global network to understand all the projects and identifying technical and scientific solutions to opportunities and challenges that arise. 

SERVIR hub institutions provide a key interface between the needs of SERVIR regions and the TL must coordinate effectively with the Regional Science Coordination Leads, Hub counterparts in each of the SERVIR regions, as well as with USAID, NASA, and other relevant partners. This includes leading (and co-leading in Water and Disasters) global coordination meetings around each theme. 

The TL will be the primary technical point of contact with the SERVIR Applied Science Team projects in Agriculture and Water, providing technical and scientific backstopping where necessary to ensure uptake and sustainable development. 

The TL will be required to represent the Agriculture and Water portfolio in strategic collaborations and partnerships within and outside the SERVIR network, including organizations like USAID, World Bank, World Food Program, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as well as National Ministries and Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) working in SERVIR regions.

 The SERVIR SCO in Huntsville offers a flexible and dynamic work environment, with an in-house team of over 30 science professionals and numerous opportunities for growth and professional development. Periodic international and domestic travel is a requirement of the position.

Minimum Requirements:

– Master’s degree in Earth or Atmospheric Science, Geosciences, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a similar field

 – 15-18 months of full-time verifiable related work experience
 – Excellent verbal and written communication skills
 – Self-initiative and demonstrated experience in collaborative leadership

 – Experience leading complex projects with multiple institutions and a willingness to work closely with others in diverse team environments
 – A fundamental expertise in the fields of Satellite Remote Sensing and Modeling applications in Agriculture and Hydrology

 – Ability to understand and work in the science that is being represented and have a published record in the field of Agriculture and Water Resources

 – Demonstrated excellence in communicating the science in both academic and non-academic settings
 – Advanced experience in Earth Observation driven method and models

 – Earth science geospatial data analysis experience
 – Math, statistical & scientific data processing automation (using libraries, packages, or tools such as SciPy, NumPy, ArcPy, R, Math.NET, MatLab, etc.)
 – Raster data including the processing of temporal datasets
 – Experience running, calibrating, and applying hydrologic, land surface, and crop models

 – Publication record
 – Ability to manage science products and applications in international settings, and to travel to international locations for training and collaborative meetings.
 – Cultural awareness and sensitivity pertinent to diverse SERVIR regions and supporting member countries’ journeys to self-reliance.

Desired Qualifications:

– Ph.D. in Earth or Atmospheric Science, Geosciences, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a similar field
 – Experience working with NASA and/or other Federal agencies

Published Salary (if available):

$72,766 – $78,380

Official Notification

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Online Application

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