Remote Sensing Specialist

Requisition Id 13871 

­­Overview:  

The Earth Systems Science Section of the Environmental Sciences Division (ESD) at ORNL is seeking a highly motivated individual to support remote sensing data and application for the Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic (NGEE Arctic) and existing projects across ESD.

Through the research performed by NGEE Arctic and the ESD, novel remote sensing technologies and data are used to better understand ecosystem structure, function, and dynamics across the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum to inform Earth System Models (ESMs) that represent the cycling of carbon, water, and nutrients in rapidly changing Arctic ecosystems. Our team collects a variety of novel remote sensing data, including multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal, and LiDAR, using field equipment, unoccupied aerial systems (UASs), as well as airborne and satellites through collaborations with partner institutions like NASA. We are looking for an experienced data scientist/technical professional with an exemplary record of using remote sensing data and tools. The successful candidate will support data synthesis activities on the NGEE Arctic project and develop frameworks for generating model-ready data for ELM and ELM-FATES. The candidate will also have opportunities to participate in UAS flights and work with R&D staff to develop data processing pipelines, UAS data applications, and AI/ML approaches.

The successful candidate must be capable of independent time management and have excellent communication and teamwork skills to work effectively with many individuals, teams, and projects. We expect the experienced individual to work within a diverse group of individuals and participate in the training of new students and researchers on the unique features of ORNL environmental science laboratories, field work, and expected code of conduct. This will be a full-time technical professional staff position with potential for growth and career advancement for a creative and highly motivated individual. The selected candidate will join the Plant-Soil Interactions Group. The successful candidate will provide support to researchers across the Section and Division.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Support data curation, synthesis, and publication for the Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment in the Arctic (NGEE Arctic) project.
• Work with science and crosscut teams on NGEE Arctic Phase 4 on the application of remote sensing, scaling, AI/ML, and data-model integration.
• Support fieldwork campaigns for ecology, GIS, and remote sensing (e.g., UASs) data collection across ESD projects. 
• Develop new methods and tools for automated processing and analysis of large-scale remote sensing and GIS data, including hyperspectral, thermal, LiDAR.
• Under a mentor, support the ideation and development of new applications related to environmental science, remote sensing, scaling, AI/ML, and data-model integration.
• Help manage field and lab equipment and calibration, and coordinate the use of equipment.
• Participate or lead outreach activities across ORNL and with indigenous communities in the Arctic.
• Thoroughly document work performed to meet sponsor and mission needs, including preparation of peer-reviewed papers for publications in journals and conference proceedings.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• MS degree in geoinformatics, geography, remote sensing, GIS, environmental science, computational science or a closely related field.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge in geography, remote sensing, GIS, environmental science, ecosystem ecology, and computer science.
• Experience with Python, R, ENVI+IDL, Google Earth Engine, Jupyter notebook, or other programming languages.
• Experience with curating, processing, and analyzing big data.
• Experience with Arctic and boreal ecosystems is preferred.
• Familiar with modern AI/ML analysis and statistical techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in writing scientific and technical reports and delivering presentations to prominent government, industry, or research communities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines and adapt to ever-changing needs.

Benefits at ORNL: 

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov 

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.