Lead Institution

CCARBON – Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (University of São Paulo)

Supervisor

Prof. Dr. Renato A. Lima (ESALQ/USP)

Host Institution

ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil

Fellowship

Technical Research Fellowship (Level A), Carbon Countdown_BR – FEALQ

Grant: R$ 8,300.00 per month

Duration

12 months (full-time dedication/40 hours per week) + 12 months renewable

Expected Start Date

October 2026

Project Title

Carbon Countdown – A baseline for soil and vegetation carbon stocks in Brazil

Abstract

Carbon Countdown_BR is one of the largest scientific initiatives ever undertaken to quantify soil and vegetation carbon stocks across Brazil. Bringing together researchers from leading Brazilian institutions, the project aims to establish the first nationwide baseline of carbon stocks across all six Brazilian biomes, generating the scientific foundation required for carbon markets, climate mitigation strategies and evidence-based environmental policies. The project combines extensive field campaigns with cutting-edge technologies, including forest inventories, destructive biomass sampling, terrestrial (TLS) and airborne (ALS/UAV) LiDAR, soil sampling, remote sensing and machine learning. By integrating these datasets, Carbon Countdown_BR will quantify carbon stocks under natural vegetation, agriculture, pasture and planted forests, identify the environmental drivers controlling their spatial variability, and produce standardized reference datasets, predictive models and high-resolution maps to support carbon projects throughout Brazil. Beyond its scientific advances, Carbon Countdown_BR will establish standardized monitoring protocols, strengthen a nationwide research network and create one of the most comprehensive databases on soil and vegetation carbon stocks ever assembled for tropical ecosystems. The project offers a unique opportunity to work with multidisciplinary teams, state-of-the-art technologies, and large-scale environmental datasets while contributing directly to the future of climate science, carbon accounting, and sustainable land management in Brazil.

 

Project Description and Objectives

The selected professional will be primarily responsible for:

• Botanical Identification and Taxonomic Coordination: Coordinate the botanical identification workflow of shrubs and trees across vegetation plots, integrating field collections, morphotyping, species identification, and collaboration with taxonomic specialists.
• Field Team Training and Supervision: Train and supervise field teams in botanical collection, morphotyping, herbarium preparation, specimen labeling and recognition of major plant families, ensuring standardized procedures across all sampling landscapes.
• Quality Assurance of Botanical Data: Ensure the completeness, consistency, and taxonomic quality of botanical records, including voucher collection, nomenclatural standardization, and verification that all sampled individuals are properly identified or associated with voucher specimens.
• Collection and Herbarium Management: Coordinate botanical collections in the field, organize specimen processing, facilitate the flow of materials between field campaigns, herbaria and collaborating specialists, and support species identification.
• Taxonomic Data Management: Contribute to the organization, validation, and continuous improvement of taxonomic databases, field forms, and documentation associated with vegetation surveys.
• Field Operations and Logistics: Assist in planning field campaigns, coordinating logistics, supervising field staff and supporting operational decision-making to ensure efficient and safe field activities.
• Scientific and Technical Contributions: Contribute to technical reports, botanical protocols, vegetation data products and scientific activities related to plant taxonomy, floristics and vegetation monitoring.

Candidate Requirements

Mandatory

• PhD in Botany, Plant Biology, Plant Ecology or related fields, or at least five years of demonstrated professional experience in plant taxonomy, floristic inventories or vascular plant systematics.
• Proven experience in morphotyping and identification of plant species from multiple botanical families.
• Strong knowledge of the major plant families and genera of the Brazilian flora.
• Proven experience conducting extended field expeditions in remote environments.
• Experience leading, training, or supervising multidisciplinary field teams.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively.
• Willingness to reside in Piracicaba, São Paulo (Brazil).

Desired (a plus)

• Experience with vegetation inventory projects based on permanent plots.
• Experience identifying shrubs and tree species across multiple Brazilian biomes.
• Experience driving 4×4 vehicles under field conditions.
• Knowledge of taxonomic database management tools.
• Basic English reading skills.
• Scientific publications related to taxonomy, floristics or plant ecology.
• Experience preparing technical reports and standardized protocols.
• Interest in ecological research, biodiversity, carbon stocks and environmental sustainability.

– Application deadline

From July 31 to August 23, 2026

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Link.

Additional Information

For any questions, please contact us at: carboncountdown@usp.br