Remote Sensing SAR Specialist and Developer (GS26100926)

Global Science & Technology•College Park, MD

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Global Science & Technology, LLC (GST) is seeking a Remote Sensing SAR Specialist and Developer to support NOAA/NESDIS/STAR in College Park, Maryland. A hybrid arrangement combining onsite work and telework each week may be considered. The position works with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) scientists and software developers in the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division (SOCD), under NOAA’s Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). The position could be long-term depending on performance and Federal Government funding. The successful candidate will develop and maintain scientific code to produce flood-mapping datasets from multiple SAR sensors, including Sentinel-1, RADARSAT Constellation Mission, RADARSAT-2, and NISAR. The role also involves developing, implementing, and improving flood-inundation detection algorithms and evaluating their performance. It requires a strong understanding of physical science, mathematics, and scientific computing. Additional work may include river-ice classification, oil-slick identification using SAR imagery, and other coastal, ocean, and cryosphere applications of SAR. Selected applicants will be subject to a government background investigation. Interviews and assessments require applicants to be on camera; GST may take a picture to verify identity and prevent fraud. For new PIV card issuance, individuals undergoing identity verification must present a REAL ID-compliant or equivalent acceptable form of identification.

Requirements

PhD or MS in a quantitative research field such as Remote Sensing, Oceanography, Physics, Mathematics, or Statistics.
At least 5 years of professional experience.
Knowledge of SAR remote sensing, satellite and oceanographic data, systems, and analyses.
Proficiency in Python and IDL.
Experience with remote-sensing data formats and tools such as netCDF4, HDF5, GeoTIFF, Xarray, and Zarr.
Experience with Linux operating systems and common tools.
A demonstrated record of deliverables, such as peer-reviewed publications, derived products, or software packages.
Ability and willingness to conduct independent research while also being a team player.
Strong scientific analytical skills and a detail-oriented working style.
Successful completion of a government background investigation.
For new PIV card issuance, presentation of a REAL ID-compliant identification document or an equivalent acceptable form.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying machine-learning algorithms using PyTorch or TensorFlow; working knowledge of machine-learning techniques may suffice.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain scientific code for producing flood-mapping datasets from multiple SAR sensors, including Sentinel-1, RADARSAT Constellation Mission, RADARSAT-2, and NISAR.
Develop, implement, and improve flood-inundation detection algorithms and evaluate their performance.
Potentially conduct river-ice classification studies, including detecting ice jams, tracking ice movement and breakup, and assessing flooding risk.
Potentially use SAR imagery to identify, outline, and characterize suspected oil slicks.
Potentially assist with additional coastal, ocean, and cryosphere applications of SAR.
Conduct independent research, including problem definition, developing technical solutions, coding, and publication, while working as part of a team.