Remote Sensing/Geospatial Analysis Grad Assistantships Announced

University of Maine logo

Graduate Assistantships in Remote Sensing/Geospatial Analysis
School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Orono, ME  USA

Graduate research assistantships are available at the School of Forest Resources in the area of Remote Sensing with a particular focus on forest health to support highly qualified MS/Ph.D. students to start in Spring 2020, Fall 2020 or as soon as possible. The research will be part of a large recently funded NASA project and is focused on developing solutions for current forest health and disturbance issues in the Northeast forests of USA. In collaboration with NASA and USDA scientists the project involves field campaigns and using multi-scale aerial and satellite multispectral /hyperspectral sensors and data applications and modeling. The project provides excellent opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research in a multidisciplinary environment led by several experienced UMaine scientists and faculty.

Qualifications:

For Ph.D, a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. degree in forestry, natural resources, remote sensing, geo-spatial analysis or other closely related disciplines are required. For master’s, a B.Sc. in the same disciplines is required. The ideal candidate is expected to have hands-on experience with remote sensing data processing and software such as ENVI or ERDAS Imagine and geospatial analysis software such as ArcGIS or similar open-source software is required. Knowledge of programming languages such as IDL, R or Python is required. In addition, the ideal applicant must be a team worker, have a high level of intellectual curiosity and can work independently. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are expected. GRE scores are required, international students must also have acceptable TOEFL scores or equivalent.

Assistantship:

An annual stipend of $23,000 paid in 12 monthly installments plus full Annual Health Insurance fee and full tuition waiver (for up to 9 credits in the fall, 9 credits in the spring and up to 6 in the summer) will be provided at the minimum (total value about $33,000). In addition, operating funds for conducting research and annual travel to national and international conferences will be available.

About the University of Maine School of Forest Resources (SFR, https://forest.umaine.edu):
With almost 90% of the state covered by forest, forest resources are central to Maine’s quality of life and economy. The SFR provides essential forestry education and research and is a signature area of the University of Maine. Over 50 graduate students are currently enrolled in M.F., M.S., and Ph.D. programs within the SFR. The University has over 12,000 students and is the state’s flagship research institution. Since 1956, the SFR has graduated over 77 MF, 137 MS and 118 Ph.D. students.

How to apply: Interested candidates should send a copy of their statement of purpose, CV, contact information of three references, transcripts and TOEFL/GRE scores to Dr. Parinaz Rahimzadeh at parinaz.rahimzadeh@maine.edu and copy Dr. Aaron Weiskittel at aaron.weiskittel@maine.edu.