JPL Postdoc: Remote Sensing of WildFires

JPL/NASA • Pasadena, CA

3d

About The Position

The postdoctoral scholar will conduct research at JPL addressing the need for next-generation wildfire fuel maps that move beyond static products toward dynamic, multivariate characterization of fuel load, composition, and flammability. The work will develop scientific models, algorithms, and data products using airborne and spaceborne imaging spectroscopy and thermal infrared observations, integrating additional sensing modalities such as SAR, LiDAR, and Solar-Induced Fluorescence (SIF) where useful. Products will be validated and their uncertainty quantified using field measurements and independent reference datasets.

The appointee will collaborate with operational partners and stakeholders to co-design usable, relevant, and sustainable tools and data products. Research will be conducted with two JPL co-advisors and result in publications in the open literature. The scholar will publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at scientific meetings and stakeholder forums, and release code and data in public repositories following open-science best practices. Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are for at least one year and may be renewed for up to a maximum of three years.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in remote sensing, Earth or ecosystem science, fire science, data science, computer science, engineering, statistics, or a related field.
• Substantial experience analyzing and modeling remote sensing data, especially imaging spectroscopy and thermal imaging, including multi-sensor fusion with LiDAR, SAR, SIF, or similar data.
• Experience with classification and regression or interpolation problems, such as mapping vegetation and fuel types or dominant vegetation types, and estimating fuel- and flammability-related traits as continuous variables.
• Strong publication record demonstrating the ability to conduct research independently and collaboratively.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across research, interdisciplinary, and external partner settings.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with fire science, fuels characterization, or operational fire management applications.
• Ability to process and analyze large geospatial datasets efficiently, preferably using high-performance computing (HPC) and/or cloud computing resources.
• Track record of documenting and publishing code and/or software in public repositories following open-science best practices.
• Experience soliciting stakeholder feedback and incorporating it in a flexible, fast-changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop scientific models, algorithms, and data products that map fuel load, fuel composition, and flammability across landscapes.
• Use airborne and spaceborne imaging spectroscopy and thermal infrared observations, integrating other modalities such as SAR, LiDAR, and SIF where useful.
• Validate products and quantify uncertainty using field measurements and independent reference datasets.
• Co-design tools and data products with operational partners and stakeholders to ensure they are usable, relevant, and sustainable over the long term.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific meetings and stakeholder forums.
• Release code and data in public repositories following open-science best practices.
• Conduct research in collaboration with two JPL co-advisors, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision plans
• Wellbeing and retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Learning opportunities
• Rideshare
• Childcare
• Flexible schedule
• Parental leave
• Work-life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree