Research Associate, Global Forest Watch

Job Summary:

In this role, you will serve as the main data liaison between WRI’s core monitoring partners and the Global Forest Watch partnership, and become an expert on existing and emerging data sets. You will liaise with the Land Monitoring Hub and the GFW platform team to appropriately display and make use of those data sets. In addition, you will oversee a number of internal and external research projects that leverage core land cover/land use change data sets and support the development of blogs and research publications related to those projects. You will advise and support the use of satellite-derived data through Global Forest Watch’s three pillars: (1) Data and Research, (2) Online Platforms & Tools, and (3) Engagement for Impact.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you can be based in either our office in Washington, DC or The Hague, the Netherlands once restrictions are lifted

Job Responsibilities:

• Work with core research partners on satellite-derived forest and land cover change products for Global Forest Watch and WRI’s Land Monitoring Hub
• Liaise with core partners and other researchers, governments, and companies that monitor forests to understand synergies and share lessons learned
• Evaluate the quality and fit-for-purpose of externally produced forest and land cover change data sets in comparison with other similar data sets
• Assist in refining forest/land monitoring priorities for Global Forest Watch and the Land Monitoring Hub
• Oversee value-added research projects leveraging core Global Forest Watch data sets, particularly related to deforestation alerts, and manage a Research Analyst involved in the technical analysis of deforestation alerts
• Support the development of blog posts and other publications related to research projects and analysis of land cover/ land use data sets
• Advise the Global Forest Watch Platform team on the best way to display satellite-derived products
• Provide user support for Global Forest Watch related core data sets, including responding to technical questions, writing technical blogs on new data sets or areas of confusion, presenting at webinars and events, etc.

Job Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Geography, Remote Sensing, GIS, or a related field or a bachelor’s degree with two years of additional relevant work experience
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant, full-time work experience
  
• Familiarity with data sources, methods, and best practices for classifying forest and land cover change from satellite imagery
• Demonstrated experience with Esri ArcGIS software, Google Earth Engine, and/or other tools for viewing and analyzing spatial data
• Previous experience managing research projects and contributing to peer-reviewed publications
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to present complex technical information in a clear and concise manner
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work with minimal oversight

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of data gaps and challenges related to forest monitoring, particularly in the tropics
• Understanding of deforestation patterns in different regions, and previous experience visually interpreting deforestation drivers from satellite imagery
• Foreign language skills (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesian) a plus

Potential Salary:

$59,615 – $77,500 if based in United States. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter with resume. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Program Overview:

To stop deforestation, we need to know where it is happening and who is responsible in time to take action. Global Forest Watch (GFW) is the only free online platform providing near-real time information and analysis about when, where and why forests are changing around the world. GFW uses machine learning algorithms and expert analysis to distill satellite imagery, crowdsourced information, and hundreds of open datasets into actionable insights and policy-relevant information about forests worldwide. GFW’s online platform is simple to use, allowing anyone with an internet connection to access data, create dynamic maps, and produce custom analyses with just a few clicks. Designed for action, GFW enables researchers, government officials, companies, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens anywhere to make better-informed decisions about managing and conserving forests. Global Forest Watch is a part of WRI’s new Land Monitoring Hub, which will expand global monitoring capabilities beyond forests to catalyze the land-based actions, policies, incentives and governance reforms needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

WRI Overview:

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
 
We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.