Lead Research Scientist

$95,000 - $120,000/Yr

Science Systems And Applications - Lanham, MD

Full-time

Lanham, MD

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Lead Research Scientist position at Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) involves supporting NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in analyzing aquatic optical and biogeochemical measurements. The role focuses on developing and validating ocean color remote sensing algorithms and processing satellite and airborne remote sensing data. The position is critical for understanding aquatic biogeochemistry and ecosystem dynamics, particularly in relation to carbon fluxes from rivers to coastal oceans.

Responsibilities

• Perform data processing from raw optical field measurements to final data products.
• Assemble and analyze aquatic optical and biogeochemical measurements.
• Develop and refine remote sensing algorithms utilizing advanced methods.
• Provide support for preparation of reports and publication of results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Develop and document scripts required to accomplish duties.
• Participate in scientific meetings and workshops.

Requirements

• M.S. in data science, oceanography, physical sciences, or closely related science/engineering discipline (or B.S. plus three years of related experience).
• Strong computer programming skills, including Python, MATLAB, and other programming languages and software tools.
• Experience with optical instrumentation, especially those used to collect measurements of aquatic radiometry and inherent optical properties.
• Knowledge and research experience in oceanography and ocean color satellite or airborne remote sensing.
• Good problem-solving skills; attention to detail; ability to learn quickly, to work efficiently and independently.
• Competence in data extraction, reduction and processing from specialized research instrumentation.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• US Permanent Residency or US Citizenship required.

Nice-to-haves

• Ph.D. in data science, oceanography, physical sciences, or closely related science/engineering discipline (less than two years since Ph.D.; or M.S. plus two years of related experience).
• Excellent programming skills; experience with Python, MATLAB and other programming languages and software tools.
• Experience in handling large data sets.
• Knowledge of data science tools and methodology.
• Experience in processing satellite and/or airborne remote sensing observations.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse and distributed team.
• Expertise with optical instruments used to collect measurements of aquatic radiometry and inherent optical properties and processing data collected by those instruments.
• Experience with image processing.