Job Details:
General Notes
This position will support the research activities of a NASA FireSense Technology project. This posting is for a job at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.
Target start date is August 2024 but can be flexible. Please indicate potential start date in cover letter.
Purpose
We are looking for a highly motivated individual to fill a 1-year postdoctoral fellow position (with the possibility of an extension based upon performance and project needs/funding) to assist with processing and interpretation of multispectral thermal infrared data of prescribed fires as part of a larger project on active fire (hot spot) detection, fire propagation modeling, 3D plume characterization, and assessing environmental impacts of fires. The aim of the project is to quantify the thermal and gas emissions from prescribed fires in 3D in near real-time using thermal infrared spectroscopy. This will help determine relationships between fire intensity and vegetation change, with the goal of predicting the gas emissions from prescribed and wildland fires.
The postdoctoral fellow will join a team developing novel thermal infrared imagers for UAV deployment to characterize thermal and gas emission from wildland fires. The individual will be responsible for data collection, gas retrieval algorithm development, and thermodynamic modeling of wildfires, and evaluating vegetation change based on fire severity. The position requires the integration of multiple geophysical datasets and interpretations, and the development of new concepts and methods to automate the processing of field data in near real-time to provide insights to wildland fire commanders regarding thermal and gas dynamics, burn intensity, and rate of spread.
Responsibilities
- Research and development of thermal infrared retrieval algorithms to characterize thermal and gas emissions from wildland fires in near real-time.
- Develop thermodynamic models of wildland fire propagation and evaluate the impact of fire severity on vegetation change based on field results which will involve code development/automation, data collection and processing, and analysis and visualization of results.
- Publish quality research results in peer-reviewed publications.
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in geophysics, geology, or related field. Strong understanding of infrared spectroscopy and gas retrievals. Demonstrate experience of thermodynamical analysis of high temperature natural phenomenon. Ability to develop code/algorithms in Python or other similar platforms. Excellent data analytical skills. Demonstrated report writing and publication skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and professional demeanor. Ability to work both independently and effectively in a large group. Ability to work collaboratively with multiple disciplines and experts, including geologists, geophysicists, engineers, and biologists.
Degree must have been earned within the last 3 years from date of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
Some experience working on wildland fire research. Capacity to develop machine learning algorithms to increase analytical efficiency. Knowledge of environmental impacts (ecosystems and air quality) of wildland fires and responses to prescribed burning. Relevant peer-reviewed publications and conferences papers. Experience with writing professional-level codes as well as software for potential end users.
Salary Range
$65,000+ depending on qualifications.
Working Conditions
- Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)
- May work in all weather conditions
- May work in extreme temperatures
- May work around standard office conditions
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
- Use of manual dexterity
- Occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work to meet deadlines
- Occasional fieldwork as necessary
- Other: will be working around active prescribed fires
Required Materials
- Cover letter
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information
