Research Associate

The College of Natural Resources is a world leader in the sustainability and stewardship of the planet we share. Across a broad array of programs, we supply students with the technical expertise and hands-on experience they need to thrive out in the world. We encourage our award-winning faculty to work across disciplines and find innovative solutions to global challenges. And we partner with industry and government to put our research to work in communities everywhere.

For almost a century, the college has served vital industries in North Carolina - including the state's largest manufacturing sector, forest and wood products, its largest service sector, tourism, and more than half a million forest landowners. Together, these industries sustain more than half a million jobs and generate $50 billion in annual economic impact. But our research goes even farther afield: We're recognized globally as experts in sustainability, the management of land and water, and solutions at the intersection of built and natural environments. In keeping with NC State's land-grant mission, we're dedicated to securing a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Essential Job Duties

The primary responsibilities of the research associate include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining and improving an existing collaborative online geospatial data development/improvement platform.

• Providing GIS system administration, GIS database editing, geocoding, geoprocessing, data conversion, workflow management, spatial analysis, and quality control processes in desktop and web-based environments.

• Performing geospatial data creation, improvement, and quality control tasks.

• Developing and maintaining GIS files and associated spatial and tabular databases on local and online servers.

• Assisting collaborators on GIS data development and improvement tasks

• Assisting with research and implement new GIS spatial files related to local and regional development, zoning, housing, economic, census, and other associated trends

The selected candidate will also be helping transfer the know-how and tools to research partners. As a part of this, they will be responsible for training and providing technical support to help research partners import and implement out-of-box GIS tools or tools developed in-house.

Other Responsibilities

• Occasional out-of-town travel will be needed (Once every three months for few days).

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree, or relevant Bachelor's degree plus 3 or more years of independent research experience.

Other Required Qualifications

• Experience in ArcGIS Server implementation and maintenance.

• Strong working knowledge of various GIS software (ESRI or open-source).

• Knowledge of programming in Python or C# and/or R.

• Knowledge of web and/or mobile geospatial application development using ESRI or open-source platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ArcPy package and ArcGIS API for Python

• Familiarity with programming using C#

• Basic to an intermediate level understanding of ESRI APIs, JSON, XML, REST, or other connection services

• Basic to intermediate level knowledge in remote sensing

• Basic to an intermediate working knowledge of network analysis (geospatial and otherwise).

• Familiarity with social media outreach/advertising systems and system APIs for creating location-specific outreach campaigns. If the candidate has no prior familiarity with this, we require their willingness to learn.

• Understanding of location-based social media data analysis

• Familiarity with applying geo-fencing for analysis and targeted public outreach

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Interest in research and academic publishing

• Ability to self-motivate to work independently and as a team on multiple projects and teams simultaneously.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License required No