Fire Modelling job in Dept Meteorology, Reading University, UK

Fire Modelling job in Dept Meteorology, 
Reading University, UK

The Walker Institute for Climate Systems Research, Reading University has an upcoming post-doc position starting on 1 October 2007 to work on implementing a fire simulation module into the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) under the supervision of Dr Allan Spessa, Reading University (see attached PDF called’Fire into JULES‘). This will be a 6 month position, and has been recently given the green light for funding.

There is a strong probability that this position will be continued past 1 April 2008 for approximately another two(2) years to work on the Fire Modelling And Forecasting System(FireMAFS) project (a QUEST/NERC Earth System Process and Prediction Initiative), also based at Reading. This work will involve model-data comparisons (validation, and parameter optimisation) and seasonal forecasting of fire activity in several regions of the world. The successful candidate will work closely with another data-oriented post-doc to be employed on the project. Please see attached FireMAFS proposal. NERC has recently given the proposal an Alpha-4 rating (ie Excellent) and funding is expected.

Ideally, potential candidates will have experience in one or more of the following: simulation modelling; F90 or some other programming language eg IDL or C; working with large EO and/or climate datasets. Prior experience in running JULES or some other land surface or vegetation dynamics model would be an advantage. No prior experience in the subjects of fire ecology, emissions from biomass burning, or fire modelling is necessary. The successful candidate will be required to travel frequently between Reading University, CEH-Wallingford, University of Sheffield, King’s College London, and University College London. Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered. Starting basic salary is indicatively around the £28,000 mark.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Allan Spessa
Project Manager, QUEST Earth System Model
The Walker Institute for Climate Systems Research
Department of Meteorology
Reading University
Reading, UK.

email: a.spessa@reading.ac.uk 

www.walker-institute.ac.uk 
www.quest-esm.ac.uk 

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california here we come

Postdoctoral

University of California – Berkeley

U.C. Berkeley has a post-doctoral research position available to examine the long-term costs of ongoing urban development on fire-prone landscapes. The over-arching goal is to elucidate the links between fire ecology, land use patterns, and climate change on Californians, with a special focus on the economic cost of protecting human health and safety. This position is funded through a collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, and there is support for both original research and the organization of a working group on this topic. The post-doc will work closely with Dr. Max Moritz (Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Department), as well as Dr. David Ganz and Dr. Rebecca Shaw (The Nature Conservancy)

Title: Post-doctoral Researcher

Description: Post-doctoral position in economics related to land use planning and urban development on fire-prone landscapes of California. Responsibilities include cost-benefit analysis of land development patterns, urban growth projections, fire suppression, fire hazard mitigation, home losses, habitat degradation and restoration, ecosystem services, and other issues related to the expanding wildland-urban interface (WUI) and a changing climate; publishing research results in peer-reviewed journal articles is expected, as is organizing working group participants for this project. Some technical assistance is available (e.g., spatial data processing), but strong quantitative skills will be employed on regular basis. This is a full time position within the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley; there will also be very close interaction with The Nature Conservancy’s California Program. Appointment February 2011 to September 2012, with possible extension. Salary $45K – $50K annually, depending on qualifications and experience. The position includes health and vacation benefits. Some travel is required.

Qualifications: A completed Ph.D. in environmental economics, natural resource economics, or related field (e.g., ecology, natural resource management, or public policy, but with economic training). Strong quantitative and computer skills required; excellent written and verbal communications skills required. Training and experience in geographic information systems, fire modeling, urban planning, and/or policy analysis is desirable. Ability to work independently and as part of a larger team.

To apply: Send electronic copies of (1) curriculum vitae; (2) names and contact information (phone, email, address) for three to five references; and (3) reprints of up to three publications to: Dr. Max Moritz, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, 137 Mulford Hall MC 3114, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114, mmoritz@berkeley.edu (please cc dganz@tnc.org). Application deadline is January 17, 2011.

Please refer to the University’s statement on confidentiality (http://apo.chance.berkeley.edu/evalltr.html). The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

 

Contact to ApplyDr. Max Moritz
University of California – Berkeley
Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management,
137 Mulford Hall MC 3114
Berkeley, CA 94720-3114
http://www.norcalherc.org/c/job.cfm?vnet=0&sort=date_&page=6&site_id=730&jb=7425100

 

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Wildfire Instructor

Wildfire Instructor

Wildfire Instructor

NATURAL RESOURCES 7

Sustainable Resource Development , Hinton – Are you looking to bring your experience in Wildfire Prevention and Suppression to new forestry staff? If you enjoy sharing your extensive wildfire knowledge with a diverse student group, then we want to hear from you!

The Hinton Training Centre, located in Hinton, Alberta, is a leader among educational institutions. Operated by the Government of Alberta, Sustainable Resource Development, the Centre offers unsurpassed wildfire training and exciting continuing education programs to government and private industry stakeholders, as well as other related natural resource personnel.

We are seeking a dynamic individual with a flair for information delivery to bring their extensive knowledge of wildfire management techniques and practices to students and field staff. This includes the opportunity to develop and deliver courses in a wide variety of disciplines in support of the department’s Wildfire Management program. You will consult with the team of instructors within the Hinton Training Centre to develop new methods for the effective delivery of training to adult audiences. This instruction role also includes a component of hands on fire management assistance to the Forest Protection Division and other agencies as required.

Qualifications: Degree/Diploma in Forestry or related field plus extensive years of related wildfire experience. Eligibility for CAPFT or CAPR registration and certification at the Type I Incident Command System (as either an Incident Commander or Operations Chief) is required. Structural fire experience, proficiency with computers and multimedia, and/or previous adult instruction experience are definite assets. Candidates must possess a valid Class 5 Driver’s License, and must be able to meet current fitness standards. Final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo a security screening.

Note: For further information on Forest Protection see http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/wildfires/index.html

Salary: $49,920 TO $64,224 PER ANNUM Closing Date: July 14, 2006.

Competition No. 034836-IN
 Open Competition
Online applications are preferred. To apply online visit www.gov.ab.ca/jobs or submit your resume to: Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Human Resource Services, 4th Floor, Petroleum Plaza, South Tower, 9915-108 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2G8. Fax No. (780) 427-2513. Please ensure you quote the competition number.

 

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Admin Controller in the Brits at Working on Fire

Admin Controller in the Brits at Working on Fire, South Africa

Working on Fire is looking for a dynamic and self-motivated person with experience in administration for the position as:

Admin Controller in the Brits

Responsibilities:

  1. All basic functions.
  2. Office management.
  3. Stock control.
  4. Employee admin.
  5. General office duties.

Requirements:

  1. Three to five years experience.
  2. Own transport.
  3. Experience in Microsoft – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook Express.
  4. Knowledge of managing administration systems in an office environment.
  5. Be prepared to work extraordinary hours when required to do so.
  6. Managing a payroll system of 250 people plus.
  7. This is an affirmative action position.

Package: R5000-00 to R6000-00 per month for a twelve month contract, depending on previous experience.

Closing Date: 10 August 2008

Send Shortened CV’s (max 3 pages) to:
The Advertiser
FFA t/a Working on Fire
Nelspruit Airfield, Nelspruit 1200
P.O. Box 15052, WEST ACRES, 1211
Fax:(013) 741 6484

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Project Development and Funding at Working on Fire

Project Development and Funding at Working on Fire, South Africa

Working on Fire is looking for a dynamic and self-motivated person with experience in administration for the position as:

Project Develoment and Funding

Working on Fire is a vibrant partnership programme between the private and public sectors, aiming to reduce the occurrence of damaging wildfires by facilitating, co-ordinating and implementing integrated fire management across the fire-prone regions of South and southern Africa. Increasingly, Working on Fire and FireWise Africa [Section 21 PBO] are being called upon by partners, stakeholders and donors to design, fund and implement projects that fall within the wide scope of IFM, including disaster risk reduction, community – based fire management and capacity building. 

Working on Fire would like to employ an individual, who, working under the direction of the management team and in collaboration with partners, will be responsible for the scoping, writing and development of project proposals and plans, including fundraising, to a point where they can be handed over to project teams for implementation. 

Key Competencies would include the following:
•    Excellent organisational skills
•    Excellent writing skills
•    Self -confident, with demonstrated public speaking skills
•    An ability to think creatively, listen, facilitate and lead processes amongst diverse stakeholder groups.
•    Demonstrated leadership and management skill
•    An understanding of Integrated Fire Management and the implementing challenges associated with this in the South African context
•    An understanding of the CSI environment
•    An understanding of the International donor environment
•    Project management experience. 
•    Computer literacy [ Advanced Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint skills, Email]
•    A valid driver’s licence and own transport
Ideally, the candidate will be interested in developmental work that will benefit and improve the lives of previously disadvantaged people, coupled with an interest in the natural environment.
 Working experience in the fields of Climate Change, the Natural Sciences, Disaster Management, Social Sciences or CSI would be advantageous. 

The position will be based at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town, however the candidate should expect to travel frequently within South Africa. Remuneration is commensurate with experience.

Please send letter of application and CV for attention:
Val Charlton, Working on Fire, Winter House, Kirstenbosch, Newlands, 7700 
Or :   Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735,
Or Fax to 0865141486
Or email Val@wofire.co.za

Applications close on 25th August 2008. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

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PhD fellowship in Evolutionary Ecology

PhD fellowship in Evolutionary Ecology

Enthusiastic young researcher interested in evolutionary fire ecology may apply to a fellowship for doing a PhD thesis associated to the following project: “Demographic and selective effects of fire in Mediterranean plants: Molecular Variation and Pyrophytism (VAMPIRO)” Subproject 1 (code: CGL2008-05289-C02-01).

The successful candidate will do their PhD at thePlant Ecology group at CIDE (CSIC, Valencia, Spain) under the supervision ofMiguel Verdú yJuli G. Pausas, and considering fire as a key factor in the evolution of Mediterranean plants. We expect to explore demographic, selective and phenotypic effects of fire on plant populations with different regeneration strategies (seeders, resprouters). The work will require both field sampling and the analysis of the population genetic structure using molecular tools.

The call and the candidate requirements are published in theBOE (5/1/2009) and in the web page of the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (see Instructions below). In short, the candidate should have a European University degree (European Space for Higher Education) or a degree accepted by an Spanish University.
Additionally, we will consider the following merits:

1. Field experience
2. Experience in genetic analysis of populations using molecular techniques
3. Knowledge of statistics
4. Fluent English and Spanish
5. Driving licence

Instructions: The application should be performed trough the official web of the Ministry. Instructions, documents and FAQs areHERE (or in http://web.micinn.es / Plan Nacional I+D+I / Recursos Humanos / Formación / FPI / Convocatoria 2009).

Deadline: 26 January 2009

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Maryland

 

FACULTY POSITIONANNOUNCEMENT

WILDLANDFIRE SCIENCE

FOREST,RANGELAND AND WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP 

COLORADOSTATE UNIVESITY

The Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship (FRWS) at Colorado State University is seeking applications for a faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in wildland fire science.  This is a 9-month, tenure-track position with teaching, research, and service responsibilities, beginning January 2005.

Qualifications:

Applicants must hold[1] a Ph.D. degree with emphasis in wildland fire science or a related area.  The position requires demonstrated or potential success in research (including securing external funding and producing scholarly publications) and in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  Desired qualifications include expertise in quantitative methods (e.g., field sampling, modeling, GIS, or remote sensing), practical experience with wildland fire, interest in working with public and private land managers, and potential for intellectual leadership.

Responsibilities:

The faculty member will provide leadership to our wildland fire science program, serve on committees, and perform other duties normally associated with academic appointments.

Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate courses in fire science and management.  The faculty member also will advise undergraduate and graduate students. 

Research responsibilities include development of an externally-funded research program focused on wildland fire science and management.  The research program will involve graduate students and lead to publications in scientific journals.  

Responsibilities for outreach and professional service include participation on university committees, and fostering relationships with public agencies, industry, the forestry profession, and other sectors of the public interested in wildland fire.

Salary:  Commensurate with qualifications.

The Institutional Setting:

The Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship is one of four academic departments in the College of Natural Resources.  We offer undergraduate majors in forestry, natural resources management, rangeland ecology, and watershed science.  Graduate education includes M.S., M.F., and Ph.D. degrees. A fire science concentration is available to undergraduates through the forestry major.  Faculty and students engaged in a wide spectrum of research in fire behavior, ecology, hydrology, and management.  Many of these projects are in collaboration with state and federal research and management agencies.  For more information see the College of Natural Resources website (http://www.cnr.colostate.edu/). 

Fort Collins is a nationally recognized center with many federal and state research and management agencies, including the new federal Natural Resources Research Center, Colorado State Forest Service, USGS Mid-continent Ecological Science Center, US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Experiment Station, and Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Application Procedure: 

Applicants should submit a statement of research and teaching interests and qualifications, a resume, and contact information for at least three references (who will only be contacted with the approval of the candidate).  Additional supporting information (e.g., reprints of publications) is welcome.

Send all materials to:    Dr. William Romme
                                   Chair, Search Committee
                                   Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship
                                   Colorado State University
                                   Fort Collins, CO  80523-1472

                                   Phone:  970-491-2870, FAX:  970-491-6754
                                   E-Mail:  romme@cnr.colostate.edu

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.  However, applications should be submitted by March 1, 2004 for full consideration.  E-mailed applications are acceptable.

Ethnic minorities and women are encouraged to apply.  Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements.  The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in Room 101 Student Services Building.  In order to assist Colorado State in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic minorities, women and other protected class members are encouraged to apply and to so identify themselves.

[1] Doctoral candidates will be considered provided that their degree will be completed at the time of scheduled hire.  Clear evidence of timely completion must be provided and verified.

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PhD research assistantship on fire, vegetation, and climate history of western Argentina

MontanaState University, Dept Earth Sciences:

PhDresearch assistantship on fire, vegetation, and climate history of westernArgentina

PhDresearch assistantship is available to participate in a three-yearmultidisciplinary investigation of fire, vegetation, and climate history ofwestern Argentina. Successful applicant should have experience withpaleo-ecological field and lab methods and some fluency in Spanish. Startingdate is negotiable. For more information, contact Cathy Whitlock, Dept EarthSciences, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717, U.S.A., at:

whitlock@montana.edu

Aproject description is available at:

http://www.montana.edu/paleoecology/

 

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Postdoc Research Position: fire regime and climate

Postdoc Research Position: fire regime and climate

CIRCE, Fire Regime (CEAM, EXP-03/09)

We wish to recruit an enthusiastic researcher to work in the European project CIRCE (Climate Change and Impact Research: the Mediterranean Environment,web). Specifically the research will be to study the relationship between climate and wildfire regime in the Mediterranean Basin. The successful candidate is expected to be able to work with large datasets and to produce high quality scientific papers (SCI). The starting point of the research will be the following work: PDF

Requirements:

– PhD in Physics, Biology, Biological Science, Ecology, …
– Fluent English writing
– Demonstrable experience in research
– Demonstrable experience in statistical analyses
– Scientific publications

Merits:

– Number, quality and impact of the publications
– Experience in the analysis of large databases
– Experience in the analysis of time series
– Knowledge of R language
– Knowledge of programming languages
– Possibility of immediate incorporation to the position

The research will be developed in collaboration between the Meteorology group at CEAM (Valencia) and thePlant Ecology group at CIDE (CSIC, Valencia), and supervised by Juli G. Pausas. The successful candidate will be contracted as a researcher at CEAM under the CIRCE project. Salary will depend on the merits of the candidate. The contract will finish by the 31/12/2010.

The position is already available and the incorporation date would be immediate (the exact date is negotiable).

Instructions:

– Interested researchers should submit a motivation letter and a Curriculum Vitae (indicating how the candidate accomplish the above requirements and merits) to rrhh@ceam.es before 3rd of February, 2009 (last day 2/2/2009); acknowledgement of reception will be send.
– It is necessary to indicate the reference EXP-03/09 in the e-mail and in the documentation (Curriculum Vitae)
– See also the official call at the CEAM web page [here].

If necessary, short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. The call would be reopened if we do not find the appropriate person.

Deadline: 2 February 2009

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Job-TNC-Desert/Arid-lands Habitat Leader

 

The Nature Conservancy

Saving the Last Great Places

 JOBDESCRIPTION

TITLE:                         Desert/Arid-lands Habitat Leader
SUPERVISOR:            Director, Global Priorities Group 
LOCATION:               open
DATE POSTED:          December 18, 2003

The Desert/Arid-lands Habitat Leader is a new, estimated 12-month position [1] developed to lead The Nature Conservancy in setting outcome-based conservation goals, including priority conservation strategies and places, for all of the world’s desert/arid-lands biomes – called Major Habitat Types.  Desert/arid-lands goals will be informed by global scientific assessments of habitat status, threat and conservation progress, and calibrated against advancements to be made through TNC and partner efforts.  The objective of this position is to conduct an expansive and inclusive process that builds both institutional support and partner engagement for the conservation of the world’s desert/arid-lands ecoregions.  Responsibilities include: 1) leading a science-driven assessment of each desert/arid-lands Major Habitat Type that culminates in an authoritative “state of the habitat” report,  2) conducting a conservation gap analysis to identify priority areas and priority strategies; 3) articulating initial habitat goals for TNC; 4) facilitating the establishment of longer-range goals for relevant TNC programs; 5) contributing to a framework to help inform Conservancy FY06 planning; and 6) making structural or process-related recommendations relevant to implementation of these goals.

The Desert/Arid-lands Habitat Leader will work with four other habitat leaders to lead TNC in setting comprehensive conservation goals for all Major Habitat Types.  Within that broader framework, the Desert/Arid-lands Leader will provide overall leadership on behalf of TNC for Desert/Arid-lands Major Habitat Type goal setting.  It is conceivable that TNC might co-lead each process with individuals from other institutions.   Specific duties require building and managing a small core ad hoc team of partners, key TNC staff, senior managers, trustees/Board of Governors, and Global Priority Group (GPG) staff. 

The Desert/Arid-lands Leader is expected to work with other habitat leaders to identify crosscutting issues and to ensure consistent methods.  The Leader will work closely with the GPG on data management and analysis, mapping, and the overall process. The Leader ensures the goal setting process for Desert/Arid-lands habitats remains within budget.  The Director of Global Priorities supervises the Desert/Arid-lands Habitat Leader.

DUTIES:

  1. Advance habitat goal-setting for desert/arid-lands within a broader organizational effort that will set coherent goals and define priorities for all Major Habitat Types organized under five different habitat groups (grasslands, deserts, freshwater, marine, and forests).  Collaborate with other Habitat Leaders to ensure learning across groups and to balance efforts and priorities across and between groups.
  2. Work with other institutions to conduct global habitat assessments, insuring the use of existing information to document and analyze the status, distribution, threats, geographic priorities, dominant strategies, level of conservation investments and established international goals, and gaps relevant to Desert/Arid-lands Major Habitat Types.
  3. Solicit input from the field to produce a preliminary draft outline of TNC specific goals, outcomes, priorities and approach to gaps for conservation of Desert/Arid-lands Major Habitat Types.
  4. Facilitate a habitat conference with field practitioners from TNC, trustees, key partners, and potential donors to peer-review a draft ‘state of the habitat report’,  to refine initial recommendations for TNC goals and priorities, to galvanize goal setting for programs across TNC, and to build networks of collaboration across practitioners.
  5. Finalize a global context and conservation vision for all Desert/Arid-lands Major Habitat Types (in the form of the state of the habitat report), including TNC’s goals and contributions to the vision with relevant measures, clear organizational priorities for discretionary resources, and collective commitments overall organization. 
  6. Recommend ongoing operational or structural implications of pursuing conservation goals for Desert/Arid-lands Major Habitat Types.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Credible conservation experience within desert/arid-lands ecoregions and familiarity with desert/arid-lands biogeography. At least 10 years experience in the conservation field and applying ecological concepts to conservation decision-making or biodiversity management, particularly as it relates to desert/arid-lands habitats.
  2. Highly skilled at effective communication with diverse people and institutions. Experience translating information and ideas between disciplines or stakeholder groups and excellent speaking and writing skills required.  Past success in marketing concepts and approaches to various audiences in building positive and lasting relationships with people and organizations.  
  3. Track record of delivering results in a complex process.   Proven understanding of how organizations work and of how to design program structures and functions to accomplish specific goals. Ability to operate effectively in a non-confrontational style in diverse institutional settings.  Comfort with ambiguity and institutional change.
  4. Excellent management skills.  Knows how to set priorities well, manage an ad hoc with no direct management authority, and manage finances.  Able to set and fulfill meaningful goals and objectives, to develop realistic schedules, to anticipate and solve programmatic or people-related problems, and to objectively measure performance against goals and institute changes when merited.
  5. Works well independently but is also a good team player.  Able to accomplish individual and programmatic goals while making a significant contribution to broader goals of the organization.
  6. Strong commitment to conservation.
  7. Willingness to travel frequently, often on short notice.

 

PLEASE SUBMIT COVER LETTER, RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE,  AND A LIST OF 3 OR MORE REFERENCES BY JANUARY 30, 2004 TO:   jobs@tnc.org  (please indicate job title in subject line). 

 

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

visit us at www.nature.org/careers


[1] Internal TNC candidates will have the option to return to their previously held positions and external candidates may be eligible to second with a University or apply for an IPA.  Each position is conceived as an estimated one-year position – the actual time frame will be determined with GPG Director to ensure accomplishment of goals.  Potential continuation of habitat groups or implementation of strategies will be determined after a management review of the recommendations from the habitat goal setting process.   

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