Associate Scientist, Data

GNSS Processing for Earthquake Hazards Monitoring, Science, and Mitigation

About the job

The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) has a mission to advance space-related sciences and exploration through innovative research, technology, and education programs that involve universities, governments, and the private sector for the benefit of humanity. As part of this mission, USRA is conducting collaborative research for the investigation of hazards and resources with the USGS Earthquake Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center and the USGS National Innovation Center. USGS operates the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system for the U.S. west coast in collaboration with several university partners. The system rapidly detects earthquakes and generates alerts that are issued to the public and institutional users to inform them of impending shaking. The purpose of this position is to support the collaborative research with USGS focused on improving ShakeAlert, crustal deformation monitoring systems, and post-earthquake response by including high-rate and real-time geodetic data.

We are seeking a passionate and highly motivated individual to join our team focusing on research, development and implementation of innovative, real-time GNSS processing techniques for earthquake early warning (EEW), rapid response, and longer term crustal deformation monitoring. Specific projects may include analyzing real-time position time series during earthquakes, identifying the best real-time GNSS positioning methodologies for general earthquake monitoring and to feed into the ShakeAlert system, monitoring output from real-time GNSS-based algorithms to understand factors controlling their performance in operation, and further development and testing of additional GNSS-based EEW approaches to identify strategies that may improve ShakeAlert's overall performance. Successful candidates will have experience in geodesy (especially real-time GNSS data), statistics (especially techniques for analyzing noise in time series data), and seismology, along with strong programming skills in Python and C++.

Position Summary:

The Associate Scientist will carry out research, development, and implementation to support the use of GNSS data, especially real-time data, for earthquake monitoring and hazards research, for post-earthquake response activities, and in the ShakeAlert EEW system.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on and testing of scientific-grade GNSS processing algorithms and methodologies as applied to EEW, rapid characterization of crustal deformation, and analysis of longer-term deformation over time scales of days to years.

• Monitor the performance of real-time GNSS processing and related EEW algorithm(s) and develop methods for mitigating poor performance.

• Collaborate with USRA and USGS seismologists, geodesists, and system engineers to integrate GNSS data into earthquake monitoring and mitigation efforts.

• Contribute to research papers in leading scientific journals and present findings at relevant scientific conferences.

Additional Responsibilities

• Satisfy USRA's non-profit mission by making a distinctive impact through technical accomplishments in the assigned projects.

• Model USRA's core values:

• Passion (for science, technology and education);

• Partnerships (with universities, governments, and the private sector); and

• Professionalism (through excellence, accountability, and respect for others).

• Act safely, ethically and in compliance with all laws and regulations and USRA policies and procedures including:

• Ensure the protection of USGS and USRA intellectual property with respect to commercial and ITAR/EAR concerns through disclosures, patent applications

• Obtain pre-approval for travel and meet other requirements in compliance with travel procedures applicable to your assigned projects

• Complete timesheets daily, in compliance with USRA requirements

• Complete all trainings as scheduled

• Other job-related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Education:

• A Master's Degree or higher in, Geophysics or related field. PhD preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 5+ years developing scientific models and performing analyses

• Minimum 2-5 years managing and completing complex, multi-faceted scientific projects

• Minimum 2 years using scientific-grade GNSS processing techniques for precise positioning, preferably including high-rate, real-time processing

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in geophysics research, GNSS geodesy and related processing software, time series noise analysis, and seismology

• Ability to program complex scientific applications in the Linux OS

• Demonstrated knowledge of Python

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and adapt existing scripts as needed to improve system performance

• Experience with C++, Active MQ, Git, Earthworm, Kafka, and/or NATS is desirable

• Demonstrated ability to lead research and development priorities, to meet schedules, and to monitor and report progress

• Ability to prepare scientific publications as co-author with other scientists

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English is required.

Working Conditions:

Work will be performed in an office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, or hear.

Travel:

Employee must be willing and able to travel. Position may require limited domestic and international business travel.

About USRA:

Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is an independent, nonprofit research corporation where the combined efforts of in-house talent and university-based expertise merge to advance aeronautics and space science and technology. The USRA Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science (RIACS) supports multiple NASA teams through USRA's management of the NASA Academic Mission Services (NAMS) Program at NASA's Ames Research Center. This includes support for projects with the NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI), NASA Aviation Systems Division, NASA Intelligent Systems Division, and the NASA Advanced Supercomputing Division.

The hiring range displayed is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed (Mt. View, CA). In extending an offer, USRA considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job-related skills, experience, knowledge, internal staff equity, and relevant education/training. The hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Mt. View, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the HR Business Partner when applicable. The full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Mt. View, California $80,000 -$110,000.