Research Fellow: Remote Sensing/GIS specialist

SEI Asia is recruiting a highly motivated Research Fellow that will undertake research and development activities related to new and ongoing projects in Asia under the Water Resources Management Cluster, with a focus on spatial data analysis and mapping, developing GEE and Python scripts and geospatial tools to support decision-making and planning in water-land-ecosystem management, water-related disaster risk management (flood and drought), water-related urban planning, and climate change adaptation. This position will also emphasize developing and managing innovative projects, work across disciplines, mentor early-career researchers, and build capacity for key stakeholders. The candidate will ensure that research results are published in high-quality external publications and engage with policymakers and decision-makers.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Provide technical research and leadership in the areas of utilizing geospatial data and Remote Sensing /GIS techniques, User Interface (UI), and advance technology such as AI and machine learning in water-land-ecosystem management, water-related disaster risk management (flood and drought), water-related urban planning, and climate change adaptation.
• Lead projects, manage client/partnership relationships, supervise project staff, and write project reports.
• Work collaboratively within teams and contribute to teams of multi-disciplinary researchers and stakeholders.
• Engage with stakeholders and undertake critical policy analysis regarding applications of Remote Sensing /GIS.
• Provide guidance for early-career professionals on research management, project implementation, and reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop documents, tutorials, user guides and technical reference information to support training, capacity building and reporting activities.
• Design and conduct data collection, field surveys and support the team to organize workshops and stakeholder consultations.
• Support the Asia Centre Water Cluster Team to engage with relevant scientific and policy communities, engage in networking opportunities and create new partnerships.
• Identify funding sources, lead and contribute to proposal development and fundraising, and seek to secure funding for projects.
• In collaboration with the SEI communications team, undertake outreach activities that include teaching, presentations, dialogues and briefings, articles for specialist publications and scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, plus interaction with the media as appropriate.
• Work with the Operations team to carry out project financial reports.
• Contribute to office management (for example, staff meetings, cluster meetings, administrative tasks, etc.) and other duties as assigned by line managers.

Who you are

We are looking for a researcher who has adequate experience in researching and managing projects related to water-land-ecosystem management, water-related disaster risk management (flood and drought), water-related urban planning, and climate change adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region. We expect that this person will be able to apply analytical skills including Sensing/GIS, programming (i.e., GEE, python, R, etc.), and advance technologies to create positive impacts on policy and practices at all levels.

Formal qualifications and knowledge

• A Doctoral degree with a minimum of 3 years’, or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 6 years’, work experience in geoinformatics, remote sensing and GIS, computer programming related to water resources management, or other related fields.
• Experience in utilizing geospatial data and remote sensing and GIS techniques in water-land-ecosystem management, water-related disaster risk management (flood and drought), water-related urban planning, and/or climate change adaptation.
• Experience in using Google Earth Engine (GEE), python, R or any other open data platforms is an added advantage.
• Experience in leading and managing research projects.
• Experience working in multi-and trans-disciplinary teams, including teams comprising of researchers, technical roles and practitioners.
• A solid track record in fundraising and publications.
• Experience establishing networks of professionals, practitioners and researchers working in the same field(s).
• Excellent fluency in spoken and written English.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in developing user and web interfaces and web programming languages such as JavaScript.
• Working knowledge of advance technologies such as AI and machine learning.
• Experience working in South and Southeast Asia.

Personal skills required in the position

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven capacity in task leadership and/or people management skills.
• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Positively influence attitudes of individuals and teams.
• Conveying the core values of SEI in everyday work, including the importance of high-calibre work as well as respect and trust.
• Capable of providing and receiving feedback in a constructive and respectful manner.