Post-Doctoral Associate in Remote Sensing Radar/LiDAR (One-Year Appointment, Renewable Based on Funding Availability)

University of Missouri System • Saint Louis, MO

34d • Onsite

About The Position

The UMSL Geospatial Collaborative at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in Remote Sensing (RADAR/LiDAR). This is a full-time, 12-month research position beginning January 1, 2026 (or earlier by mutual agreement). The appointment is entirely research-focused, offering a unique opportunity to advance state-of-the-art methods in RADAR and LiDAR remote sensing for GEOINT and geospatial applications. The selected candidate will be based on-site in St. Louis, Missouri, under the supervision of Dr. Reda Amer, Director of the UMSL Geospatial Collaborative, and will collaborate closely with researchers and scientists from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). This position is part of UMSL's broader effort to strengthen partnerships with NGA and to support research in advanced remote sensing, geomatics, and geospatial intelligence within the rapidly expanding St. Louis Geospatial Ecosystem. This position supports a project funded by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which limits participation in the project to citizens of the United States. As a result, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this position.

Requirements

• Education: Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, Geomatics, Geospatial Science, Geospatial Engineering, or a related field (completed by start date); ABD candidates with a scheduled dissertation defense before the appointment start date are also eligible.
• Technical Expertise: Proven proficiency in RADAR and/or LiDAR data processing and analysis, including experience with data calibration, feature extraction, and 3D modeling.
• Research Experience: Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or technical reports.
• Programming and Analysis Skills: Experience with Python, MATLAB, or R, and geospatial software such as ENVI, ERDAS, ArcGIS, or QGIS.
• Collaboration and Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work both independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience applying RADAR interferometry (InSAR), LiDAR point cloud analysis, or multi-sensor data fusion for environmental, geological, or infrastructure studies.
• Familiarity with machine learning or AI-based approaches for remote sensing data interpretation.
• Background in geomatics, geodesy, photogrammetry, or 3D mapping.
• Prior experience collaborating with federal agencies (e.g., NGA, NASA, USGS) or defense-related geospatial projects.
• Experience in grant writing, proposal development, or leading research projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Advanced Remote Sensing Research: Lead and support original research projects involving RADAR and LiDAR data processing, analysis, and integration for terrain modeling, earth surface monitoring and mapping.
• Collaborative Research with NGA: Work closely with national geospatial intelligence (NGA) scientists and UMSL researchers to develop, test, and validate remote sensing algorithms, workflows, and data fusion techniques that align with NGA's priorities.
• Data Analysis and Method Development: Process and analyze airborne and satellite-based radar and LiDAR datasets. Develop innovative approaches for 3D mapping, topographic modeling, change detection, and object classification using tools such as ENVI, ERDAS, ArcGIS, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent platforms.
• Dissemination of Findings: Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to NGA Tearline publications, and present findings at major scientific meetings such as AGU, IGARSS, ASPRS, and GEOINT.
• Mentorship and Engagement: Participate in UMSL Geospatial Collaborative research seminars and community engagement activities. Provide guidance to graduate and undergraduate students working on remote sensing and geospatial science projects.

Benefits

• The University of Missouri System offers a comprehensive faculty benefits package, including health, retirement, and tuition assistance.
• For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees