Jobs in Abu Dhabi, United States

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in remote sensing to document and analyze spatial and temporal trends in coastal change in the United Arab Emirates and surrounding Arabian Gulf nations. The Arabian region has population growth rates that are more than double the global average coupled with rapid economic development. Consequently, there has been dramatic growth of urbanization across the region in recent decades, particularly along coastlines. Coastal modification through infilling, reclamation, channel, and inland waterway dredging has been a common feature of development in this region, with urbanization expanding built surfaces, green spaces, and other elements of cities. This has sometimes come at a cost to coastal ecosystems, although in some cases, it has coincided with their expansion. The candidate will utilize past and contemporary imagery to document and analyze such trends.

The position will be under the supervision of Prof. John Burt, head of the NYUAD Marine Biology Lab. The candidate will be hired within the recently established Center for Interacting Urban Networks (CITIES), an interdisciplinary research center focused on regional environmental change where Burt is an Investigator. The candidate will work with a diverse interdisciplinary group of researchers under Burt's supervision within CITIES, the Marine Biology Laboratory, the Arabian Center for Climate and Environmental Sciences (ACCESS), the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (CGSB), and the Water Research Center (WRC).

The candidate will work closely with two other researchers under Burt's supervision (from the social sciences and from marine science) as part of this collaborative project, integrating information from remote sensing with studies on ecological and social impacts that have resulted from recent urbanization. The goal will be, in part, to better understand the extent of coastal change that has occurred in recent decades, the positive and negative consequences of coastal development, and to develop recommendations for policymakers to enhance sustainability of these practices going forward.

The position is scheduled to begin on 1 Sept. 2022 and will extend for two years (the start date is flexible), with renewal possible depending on performance and budgets. Candidates must have a PhD in environmental science, geospatial sciences, or related fields, as well as first-author publishing experience relevant to the position description (Master's degree holders may be considered if they have a very strong relevant publication record). Experience using Google Earth Engine analytical toolkits for spatiotemporal land-use change would be considered an asset, as would integrating remote sensing with GIS. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in analyses of a diverse array of coastal habitat/infrastructure types. Experience in ground-truthing is ideal, particularly if the candidate has boating and/or SCUBA experience.

Salary will be contingent on experience, and the position comes with a very attractive salary and benefits package including a housing allowance, annual flights, and tuition for children (if relevant), and medical insurance. Salary and benefits are entirely tax-free in the UAE.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: The closing date for applications is 17 July 2022 at 12 noon GST (GMT+4). Applicants should submit an application that includes a cover letter (max 2 pages) that specifically refers to qualifications/experience related to the items above, a curriculum vitae including the names and contact information of three references. Please submit applications on Interfolio only; emailed submissions will not be reviewed. Only those candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

About NYUAD:

NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai form the backbone of NYU's global network university, an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought, advanced research, knowledge creation, and sharing through its academic research and creative activities.

EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Employer

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply.