Submitted by Manuela Girotto on
We are seeking one undergraduate research assistant to help run hydrological models for a project that assesses the impacts of beaver restoration on water resources in California. Tasks include running a Land Information System (LIS) model to estimate water retention and water storage related to beaver dams. Previously on this project, we created a beaver habitat suitability model for California. This semester, we are focusing on hydrological modeling to help us understand what would happen to water in California if beaver populations were restored. This study is led by PhD candidate Jessie Moravek (ESPM), who is advised by Dr. Manuela Girotto.
Specifically, the student’s tasks will include getting access to the NASA Discover server system, learning to navigate the Discover system, exploring and running LIS model examples available in Discover, and modifying LIS as appropriate for our study. We will provide some training and support to help the student achieve these tasks, but a strong data science background and interest/ability in hydrological modeling is required.
This project will occur mostly virtually with some in-person meetings in spring 2023. In their application, the student should indicate if they are available/comfortable coming to the office in person or if they would prefer to work virtually.
The primary responsibility of the undergraduate student will be to run a LIS hydrological model through the NASA Discover system to estimate how beaver dams in the Sierras influence water retention time and shallow groundwater storage in California. The student is expected to have strong data science skills and to work largely independently, although we will provide as much support as possible. The student may have to reach out or collaborate with other scientists to ask for help or guidance when running this model. We will help facilitate these connections. Student applicants should be interested in data science, freshwater ecology, wildlife ecology, and/or climate change ecology.
Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley
Background in data science and programming
Interest in data science, freshwater, wildlife, and climate ecology
Availability ~6-9 hours/week
Friendly, flexible, responsible, and independent
Good team player with the ability to follow instructions