The VCU Rice Rivers Center, a part of VCU Life Sciences, supports scholarship and student instruction across diverse disciplines, including water resources, climate science, wildlife conservation and wetlands restoration.
Position Responsibilities:
The geospatial data scientist position includes the following areas:
Research and Research Support (60%): Collaborate with Center faculty, staff, and students to design, create, and publish online/offline data visualization products (e.g. spatial analysis, story maps, geospatial shape files, infographics, maps) in support of the Center’s research, instruction, and outreach missions. Identify and pursue opportunities for independent scholarship through grants, contracts, and foundations. Identify and implement training opportunities for students and tribal citizens focused on geographic information systems and related technologies.
Research Fieldwork (20%): Contribute to field-based activities to support the Center’s research objectives, grants, and contracts. Specifically, participate as a field team member for projects including wetland restoration, forest ecology, stream assessment, and building capacity for tribal partners through formal and informal training workshops for tribal citizens. Fieldwork may require routine exposure to difficult environmental conditions, including heat/cold, pesky insects, and inclement weather.
Operations Support (20%): Provide administrative and logistical support to Center programs, students, and personnel, as directed by the Center Director or designee.
Required Qualifications:
Earned Master’s degree in environmental science or closely related field with successful completion of coursework and academic training in geographic information systems (GIS), spatial data analysis, and data visualization methods; demonstrated proficiency using “R†coding applications, and demonstrated experience producing high-quality, geospatial data products with ArcGIS Pro/ArcGIS Online web applications including ESRI Story Map application; demonstrated experience conducting fieldwork related to stream ecological health assessment and avian ecology; ability to work independently and collaboratively to complete projects assigned by, or approved by, Center Director.
Preferred Qualifications:
Willingness to complete additional formal and informal technical training (at VCU expense, if appropriate) to expand geospatial and data development/visualization/remote sensing SKAs; demonstrated experience with community and tribal engagement; minimum of 1 year of experience with operation of an academic field research station.
