Research Associate - Canada

Location: Sherbrooke, QC
Company Name: University of British Columbia

The Department of Forest Resources Management, UBC-Vancouver campus, seeks a Research Associate to undertake research on the effects of fertilization on forest growth and yield. This research associate will be responsible for undertaking research on a project funded by the Forest Carbon Initiative Science and Research Agenda under the supervision of Dr. Bianca Eskelson and in collaboration with researchers from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) of British Columbia. The objective of the research is to quantify fertilization effects for western hemlock and western redcedar in British Columbia coastal forests using existing data sources and to incorporate the effects into the Table Interpolation Program for Stand Yields (TIPSY).

Responsibilities include: 1) Re-analyze SCHIRP trial data, 2) lead the compilation of raw data of existing coastal fertilization trials for hemlock and cedar in a single database, 3) perform meta-analysis of raw data of existing coastal cedar and hemlock fertilization trials across all trials to estimate stand-level responses to N-only, N+P, and N+P+other fertilization, 3) facilitate the incorporation of the response estimates into TIPSY, 4) lead the documentation of research results in extension notes and peer-reviewed publications.
Required qualifications

Candidates must have a PhD and a minimum of 3 years postdoctoral research experience in the fields of quantitative silviculture, growth and yield modelling, and forest biometrics. Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in analyzing fertilization effects on tree growth and yield and a comprehensive understanding of forest growth dynamics. Specifically, expertise in growth and yield models used in British Columbia is required. Candidates should have a strong publication record (i.e. peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports) in the last 5 years and an excellent knowledge of statistical modelling techniques. The candidate should have advanced knowledge in the application of statistical software packages such as R and SAS, intermediate knowledge in ArcGIS, and basic literacy in C. Other requirements for successful applicants include excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work in a dynamic research team, and the ability to work on a project with defined milestones and timelines.

The appointment will be for 18 months subject to funding sources. The expected starting date for this position is November 1, 2019 but an alternative date may be arranged.

Applications should include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses and e-mail addresses of three people to provide professional references. Please also indicate in your application if you are a Canadian or permanent resident of Canada. Please submit your application online at: https://www.hr.ubc.ca/careers/faculty-careers/

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Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.