Job Information
Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Senior Research Scientist in United States
Science System and Applications Incorporated (SSAI) is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to support the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Beltsville, MD.
We are looking for candidates who can support the USDA in:
Developing remote sensing-based metrics of ecosystem health and response to climate and management.
Enhance the ability of the existing evapotranspiration (ET), leaf area index (LAI), and crop phenology software tools for rangeland monitoring in three hubs located in Michigan, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.
Conduct retrospective product validation and real-time generation of remotely sensed ET, LAI, and phenology.
Using remote sensing metrics to assess ecosystem health and responses to climate and rangeland management.
The work location is hybrid, working primarily from home but at the customer facility in Beltsville, MD once per week.
A successful candidate will need to be able to obtain proper clearances to access USDA IT systems and facilities.
Required Qualifications:
Master’s degree in a physical science and 5 years of experience or a combination of education and experience in remote sensing, geospatial sciences, hydrology, meteorology, hydro-meteorology, soil science, or a similar field.
Candidate must have significant experience in the development and application of remote sensing algorithms for the retrieval of data essential to the creation of agricultural data and products such as evapotranspiration, leaf area index, and phenology. Must be familiar with the algorithms and science behind these products. Working knowledge of product validation techniques, data processing, and analysis tools used in the process.
Experience in the retrieval of in-situ and remote sensing data, and the analysis of agricultural related data/products.
Experience with remotely sensed agricultural product validation and the generation of remotely sensed products such as evapotranspiration, leaf area index, or plant phenology, and using the remote sensing metrics to assess ecosystem health.
Excellent data analysis skills and highly proficient in using advanced features of analytical tools such as MATLAB.
Programming skills in python and C/C++.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Desired Knowledge/Skills/Qualifications:
Skilled in the use of Geospatial Information Systems
EOE, including disability/vets
Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.