Postdoctoral Fellow in Remote Sensing Environmental-Social Change

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow in Remote Sensing Environmental-Social Change

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Hiring Department:

Bureau of Economic Geology

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Oct 21, 2025

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

We are seeking a PhD researcher with a solid background in remote sensing imagery analysis, scripting, programming, statistics, data analytics, and numerical modeling in the context of hydrology and environmental science. This position will support existing and forthcoming projects in the BEG water resources group.  This position is at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.

Purpose

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher to fill a Postdoctoral Fellow position (minimum one-year term with extensions subject to performance and research program needs/funding). The successful candidate will assist with a new research program focused on applying remote sensing imagery to map environmental and social changes in disadvantaged communities (colonias) in Texas. A key focus of the research program is to utilize remote sensing data (e.g., Landsat, Sentinel-2, Planet), and machine learning techniques to map changes in these communities through time. The successful candidate will become an integral part of the BEG Water Resources Group and contribute to impactful research addressing critical environmental and social issues in Texas colonias.

Responsibilities

• Work with remote sensing datasets, including Landsat and high-resolution products. Apply data analytics and machine learning techniques to map and interpret data using geoprocessing tools and GIS platforms, including Google Earth Engine and ArcPy. Map the evolution of colonias over time and analyze social and environmental stressors, including floods, on resident populations.
• Contribute to publication of scientific papers, present findings at scholarly meetings, and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with research program team members and participate in program development through proposals and other fund raising.
• Provide support and service, as needed, to the supervisor, BEG, and the Jackson School, when possible.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. awarded May 2022 or later in Earth Science (e.g. Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Geology, Geography), Civil Engineering, or closely related field. Expertise in remote sensing data products and their environmental applications. Proficiency in data wrangling, analytics, synthesis, and management. Knowledge of machine learning approaches, programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Matlab) and geoprocessing analytics (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine). Adaptability to apply skills in environmental data analytics to other topics related to water resources and the environment. Proven ability to effectively disseminate project results to peers and stakeholders. Experience working within an integrated team of scientists, engineers, and economists in a dynamic environment. Experience meeting deadlines. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills.

Degree must have been obtained within 3 years from date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Project relevant experience and demonstrated aptitude with: (a) assembling and synthesizing disparate remote sensing products for mapping building/infrastructure development, (b) assessing vulnerability to environmental hazards such as flooding, (c) artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques applied to mapping urban development, land cover change, building footprints, and flood exposure. Familiarity with social vulnerability metrics.

Salary Range

$70,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work in all weather conditions
• May work in extreme temperatures
• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of keyboard at a workstation
• Occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work to meet deadlines
• Field work as necessary

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information
• Letter of interest

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Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.