Staff Careers

The Research Associate III will provide land surface remote sensing, synthetic aperture radar, and GIS expertise focused on research and development activities supporting the identification of impacts from natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, land surface change, wildfires, severe weather, floods, and other hazards, in support of the NASA Disasters Program.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and supplemental visible/near-infrared remote sensing experience. They are expected to support a team focused on disaster response, risk, and resilience activities that include novel and innovative research that culminates in peer-reviewed publications and near real-time application outcomes.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Research and Development:
a. Satellite data processing: Acquire data sets from various sources (optical and radar) and process them into various formats supporting research and analysis tasks. Use previously written computer code and code they may author in collaboration with others to complete data processing tasks.
b. Synthesis of results: Use scientific understanding of remote sensing and synthetic aperture radar to understand signatures of land surface and other change resulting from an immediate disaster, and/or use understanding of longer-term remote sensing and modeling outcomes to characterize disaster risk and opportunities for mitigation, or identification of recovery.
c. Team and end-user engagement: Work with other team scientists to receive direction on tasks related to data processing, analysis, and mapping supporting a variety of research tasks that contribute to peer-review publications, research proposals, technical training, and other outcomes. Work with end users and partners on funded research activities to ensure the usability and usefulness of the products being delivered.
• Papers, training materials, and proposals:
a. Contribute technical knowledge and scientific analysis by authoring contributions to peer-review paper submissions, completed research proposals, scientific presentations including conference presentations, and other duties as assigned.
b. Receive guidance from team scientists on technical direction, editing, and other feedback to improve the quality of final products.
• Contribution to team disaster response activities:
a. Satellite data processing and analysis during event activations.
b. Other support of team disaster response activities, as directed.

• Bachelor's degree in Earth System Science, Geosciences, Meteorology, Physical Sciences, or a related field.
• 2.5 - 3 years of full-time verifiable work experience.
• Hands-on experience with satellite data analysis, including with Synthetic Aperture Radar, acquired through academic coursework or regular use to support the submission of peer-reviewed papers.
• Working knowledge of programming or scripting languages such as Python, experience with NASA and other remote sensing datasets (both optical and radar), experience with GIS software, and ability to communicate effectively in speaking and writing.

• Master's degree in Earth System Science, Geosciences, Meteorology, Physical Sciences, or a related field is preferred.
• 5 years or more of hands-on experience with satellite data analysis, including Synthetic Aperture Radar.
• More than 3 years of experience in technical writing for papers and proposals is desired.
• Experience in large data processing of remote sensing data, experience in technical/scientific presentations, experience with proposal writing activities, and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, if required.

$55,408 - $58,599