Associate/Full Research Specialist

The Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC, Berkeley, seeks applications for an Associate/Full Specialist in the Shive Lab, in the area of fuels and fire ecology. 

In line with the goals of the UC Cooperative Extension program, the Shive Lab seeks to answer research questions that can directly support forest managers and private citizens in adapting to increasing wildfire activity in forested ecosystems. To ensure our work is relevant to forest management, our research questions are developed in cooperation with forest managers, policy makers and other scientists, and we use a combination of robust, quantitative field studies and spatial analyses to address them. We also then extend our research to practitioners in the form of research briefs, reports and workshops. At present, we work in the giant sequoia and mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada, as well as coast redwood forests, addressing questions around fuel accumulation, forest recovery and reforestation.

This position will focus on drafting extension materials around postfire tree mortality and fuels treatment effectiveness monitoring, and will contribute to research projects in the lab.

Specific responsibilities include:

1) In collaboration with the PI, gathers relevant research on delayed tree mortality, drafts planned extension materials (which can include Fact Sheets, Research Briefs, webinars or workshops) and coordinates with experts in the field to receive feedback.

2) Surveys the literature and existing extension materials to evaluate extension needs around fuels treatment monitoring. Leads a needs assessment survey for practitioners and coordinates field visits to evaluate how needs vary across California ecosystems. Works with the PI to develop a plan for new extension materials to the meet practitioner’s needs.

3) Assists with ongoing and new research projects. Depending on project need , this position may provide logistical support, analyze field data, enter and organize large datasets or conduct spatial analyses. The position may also support fieldwork on occasion, but this position is primarily office-based.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.