Algorithm Scientist - AOP

Overview
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON, Inc.) is a nonprofit science corporation dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. Currently under design is the NEON project - an observatory comprising more than 60 environmental and biological monitoring locations distributed throughout twenty domains across the United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. These observations and experiments will be monitored and controlled in real-time from our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado.
NEON is developing an airborne remote sensing capability as an integral part of the observatory infrastructure. The Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) will consist of advanced remote sensing instrumentation including a high-fidelity imaging spectrometer, a waveform-LiDAR and a high-resolution digital camera to provide long-term, quantitative information on land use, vegetation structure and canopy chemistry over the NEON sites, transects and sites of opportunity.

Summary
The AOP Algorithm Scientist will be a member of the AOP science team performing a variety of Observatory duties and directed research in support of project development. The Algorithm Scientist will play an important role in developing sensor data processing algorithms and validation approaches to produce high quality science data products from the airborne imaging spectrometer, waveform-LiDAR, and high-resolution digital camera data. The Algorithm Scientist will also be directly involved in airborne operations and will serve as liaison with NEON’s Cyber infrastructure product team. The Algorithm Scientist will typically receive project assignments from the AOP Instrument Scientist, reporting to the AOP Product Team Lead on progress in the assigned areas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•Develop algorithm work flow and data architecture plan for flow of raw data to geophysical data products.
•Design, develop, and implement scientific algorithms and Algorithm Theoretical Baseline Documents for application of airborne imaging spectroscopy, waveform LiDAR and high-resolution digital camera imagery to terrestrial remote sensing.
•Work with NEON’s Cyber infrastructure team to transfer research-grade science algorithms to operational scientific software algorithms.
•Provide support of airborne instrument flight campaigns, including conducting field measurements and analyzing instrument data to verify sensor data product accuracy.
•Support development of LiDAR waveform calibration and validation approaches and procedures.

Required Experience
•8-10 years of experience working with remote sensing instrument science algorithm development and instrument validation.
•Experience with imaging spectroscopy, LiDAR, image processing, and sensor geolocation algorithms.
•Experience in laboratory measurements of sensor characteristics and calibration.

Education
•Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a related science field, or
•MS in one of these areas and equivalent experience.

Skills and Abilities:
•Knowledge of remote sensing principals and techniques
•Demonstrated skill in developing scientific algorithm design and development to support processing of large remote sensing datasets
•Demonstrated skill in developing IDL, MatLab and Fortran research software programs for data analysis
•Knowledge of imaging spectrometers, high resolution imagery and LiDAR altimetry
•Knowledge of instrument calibration principals and methods for both passive and active sensors
•Knowledge and skill developing optical pointing models and application of standard geo-locations techniques
•Ability to perform detailed optical and radiometric analysis of hyperspectral data

Apply:
Send your resumes and inquiries to Careers@NeonInc.org with AOP Algorithm Scientist
in the subject line, and include cover letter, resume, salary history, and salary requirements.

NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.