Senior Research Fellow: Spatiotemporal Population, Demographic, & Environmental Modeler

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY

Job posting number: #7189631

Posted: October 31, 2023

Salary / Pay Rate: $56,484

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

We are seeking to recruit a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow for a newly funded NASA project, “Synthesis Study of Land Cover, Land Use, and Demographic Change under Multi-Dimensional Developments and Climate Pressures in Southeast Asia,” to supplement expertise in earth-observation processing, sociodemographic modeling and cloud computing integration and synthesize understanding of the dynamics and interactions of the complex changes in the biophysical and socioeconomic systems along the rural-urban continuum. The work will directly inform scientific support to the strategic development of proactive policies that are regionally relevant and effective in Southeast Asia. The position would be based in the Department of Geographic & Environmental Sciences at the University of Louisville but will involve substantial collaboration and engagement with partner institutions on the project. Remote, off-campus applicants may be considered if exceptionally qualified.

The position requires expertise in socio-ecological modeling and synthesis to integrate various Earth Observation layers with high resolution mapping of population distributions and demographics based on census, household survey and high-resolution covariate data layers. The work will involve collaborations with US-based partners at CUNY, NASA JPL, Columbia, and Western Michigan University, as well as international institutions to provide a consistent and responsible point-of-contact for across partners. By joining our vibrant and well-connected interdisciplinary team the candidate will have opportunities to lead career-changing, high-impact publications for the project, as well as conduct independent research that aligns with their own interests and background.

The project work to be undertaken by the candidate will involve:

(i) Modification and documentation of existing prototypes for statistical and programming interfaces for data processing and final product generation
(ii) Contributing to the design of population synthesis mapping methods with the integration of novel urban and built-area datasets and urban growth models along SE Asian rural urban continuums
(iii) Together with established colleagues at collaborating institutions be a primary facilitator for technical- and production-related exchanges between U.S., Asian, and European collaborators and stakeholders
Other job responsibilities will include extended travel to domestic partners and Southeast Asia for meetings and project coordination.

Given these tasks, strong experience in spatial statistical analysis, computer programming, social-ecological systems modeling, and/or demography is therefore a significant advantage. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a statistical/computational/quantitative discipline, or relevant industry experience. The current tools used by the project team include R, Python, Stan and its implementations, the Google Earth Engine API and ESRI platforms and applicants with experience in these environments will be preferred. The project work will be highly interdisciplinary and as such there is some flexibility to accommodate expertise from a range of cognate disciplinary backgrounds (e.g. geography, demography, statistics, computer science, ecology, epidemiology etc). Ability and willingness to travel overseas is also necessary.

The candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Forrest Stevens and Dr. Andrea Gaughan at the University of Louisville trained in interdisciplinary, socio-environmental system thinking, and have the opportunity for continuing to develop independent research ideas. The position starting date is January 15, 2024 for a period of 1.75 years and will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Informal enquiries may be made to either Dr. Forrest Stevens ([email protected]) or Dr. Gaughan ([email protected]) or Applications must be made online at www.louisville.edu/jobs for Job ID 33110. Application materials must be uploaded in a single document.


Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact the Employment team at [email protected] or 502.852.6258. Assistance and Accommodations Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 215 Central Avenue, Ste 205 - Louisville, Kentucky 40208. If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone 502-852-6258. About the University of Louisville In 2023, the University of Louisville celebrates its quasquibicentennial, the 225th anniversary of the 1798 beginnings of higher education in Louisville. One of the nation’s first city-owned, public universities, UofL today is a vital ecosystem that creates thriving futures for students, our community and society. As one of only 79 universities in the United States to earn recognition by the Carnegie Foundation as both a Research 1 and a Community Engaged university, we impact lives in areas of student success and research and innovation, while our dynamic connection with our local and global communities provides unparalleled opportunities for students and citizens both. The university serves as an engine that powers Metro Louisville and the commonwealth and as a classroom for UofL’s more than 23,000 students, who benefit from partnerships with top employers and a wide range of community service opportunities. To learn more, visit louisville.edu. The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a member of the Kentucky state university system.


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Job posting number:#7189631
Application Deadline:Open Until Filled
Employer Location:University of Louisville
Louisville,Kentucky
United States
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