Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Under general supervision and in a team environment, to assist in conducting research projects that will advance the knowledge and science of forest modelling, disturbance, ecology, climate change impacts and adaptation, and forest sustainability.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Conducts research in the development of quantitative, statistical and process models to understand the impacts and adaptation of ecosystems to pressures such as climate change and forest disturbance by:
- reviewing, assessing and consolidating the current state of the published knowledge about impacts of climate change, forest management, natural disturbances, and other pressures on forest growth, mortality, composition, and succession;
- analyzing and interpreting data and preparing reports;
- assembling, managing, manipulating, integrating, querying and formatting large geospatial, environmental, climatic, edaphic, and biological data sets;
- using climate data from different greenhouse gas scenarios and global climate models develop models to predict how forest growth, forest succession, and timber supply will be affected by climate change.

2. Transfers research results by:
- publishing research results in scientific journals, technical reports, and other publications;
- presenting at scientific meetings, workshop, training courses, seminars, and other appropriate forums;
- communicating with forest management planning teams on the implementation and use of forest dynamics models;
- communicating research results and applications to managers, foresters, collaborators and other clients.

3. Performs other duties as assigned, such as:
- participating on appropriate committees;
- complying with the occupational Health & Safety Act and other related legislation, standards and management principles.

Staffing and Licensing :

Master's degree or Ph.D in forestry, ecology or related science with specialization in forest management, forest growth, and dynamics modelling.

Knowledge :

Knowledge and proven capacity to develop and use modelling applications in relation to fields of research such as forest dynamics, forest ecology and management, and forest growth and yield.

Comprehension and expertise in research methods for the development of advanced quantitative, statistical, and process models related to impacts and adaptation of ecosystems to pressures such as climate change, forest management, fire, and insects.

Understanding of hypothesis testing, experimental design and statistical methods to conduct scientific research.

Experience and knowledge of computer programming techniques and languages, data science to develop efficient workflows and develop, calibrate and adapt models of forest dynamics, disturbance, growth, development, and succession under different climate and forest management scenarios.

Knowledge of database management, spreadsheet, word processing, and graphics software to: develop, acquire and maintain databases for specific projects/programs; produce analyses of data and prepare reports on findings using a personal computer.

Proven experience in scientific writing and publication in order to write scientific papers and publish research results in scientific journals.

Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Skills :

Job Requires:

1. Proven skills in computer programming (e.g., R, Python, Visual Basic, C++, MATLAB) and database management systems (Access, SQL Server).

2. Advanced skills in statistical and mathematical methods and modelling techniques (e.g., machine learning, structural equation modelling) for modelling forest dynamics.

3. Knowledge and skills in creating programs or algorithms to parse data, performing exploratory data analysis and identifying patterns and relationships, and data visualization.

4. Ability to formulate hypotheses, and design and analyze experiments.

5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated by publications and presentations.

6. Skill in organization and planning to develop and implement programs of a complex nature and produce deliverables to a fixed timeline with minimum supervision.

7. Job requires communication skills to communicate effectively with staff from Forest Industry, other Ministries, other governments, and non-government organizations and co-ordinate activities to achieve a common goal.

Job requires writing skills for the production of concise written documents and reports suitable for publication targeted to professional and technical audiences.

Freedom of Action :

Work is performed under the guidance of, and in coordination with, the lead Research Scientist and the supervision of the Forest Landscapes and Ecosystems Unit Coordinator.

Employee has latitude in decision making by determining modelling design and framework, data inputs, tools used.

Work is evaluated when general updates on project status and achievement of objectives are provided to supervisor/manager and reviewed in relation to stated objectives, timelines, and budget.

Employee refers to supervisor/manager problems/issues such as insufficient resources, significant changes to project direction, and significant changes to system resources.