Postdoctoral Scholar, EMS Overmatch

Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar for the EMS Overmatch project, focusing on locating radio-frequency sources using an aerial platform. The role involves hardware integration, field data collection, and flight testing around Flagstaff, with supervision of graduate researchers and collaboration with the PI.

You will develop real-time localization algorithms, explore path-planning strategies, and contribute to technical reporting and manuscripts.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of algorithms and software for real-time RF source localization from an aerial platform.
• Develop and evaluate UAV path-planning strategies to improve localization accuracy and efficiency.
• Investigate RF propagation modeling approaches for terrain-aware tradeoffs.
• Supervise graduate student researchers and contribute to technical reporting and manuscripts.

Job description

This job was posted by https://www.azjobconnection.gov : For more information, please see: https://www.azjobconnection.gov/jobs/7592323

Postdoctoral Scholar, EMS Overmatch

Northern Arizona University

Special Information

• This position is an on‑site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is subject to the availability of funding.
• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver's license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university‑owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.
• Due to this project's funding source, this position is open only to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
• The position may require handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with sponsor and university data‑security requirements. Work on this project may involve technical data, hardware, or software subject to U.S. export control regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); the incumbent must be able to comply with applicable export control requirements and with any project‑specific technology control plan.

About the Department/College

The Radiant Center for Remote Sensing, in partnership with the Dynamic and Active Systems Lab (DASL) in the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering at Northern Arizona University, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to serve as lead technical researcher on a sponsored research project focused on radio source localization from unmanned aerial systems. This is one of several concurrent postdoctoral scholar recruitments at Radiant Center, and the successful candidate will collaborate closely with fellow postdoctoral researchers and faculty working simultaneously on related projects.

About the Position

The project, EMS Overmatch, develops and field‑tests methods for locating radio‑frequency sources using an aerial platform, combining signal‑based position estimation with path‑planning strategies that guide the UAV toward the vantage points that best resolve a source's location. The work builds on the lab's history of developing UAV‑based radio‑tracking systems, extending that foundation toward more capable localization and platform hardware for this new application area. The general research plan progresses from building out and validating a single‑vehicle localization system. This will include hardware integration, field data collection, and flight testing across the varied terrain around Flagstaff. The program will progress toward more advanced localization and path‑planning capabilities as the research matures. The postdoc will supervise graduate student researchers supporting the project, work closely with the PI, and contribute to technical reporting and manuscript preparation. The position is based in Flagstaff, AZ.

Work Environment: This position requires a substantial amount of fieldwork, including UAV flight testing across Flagstaff‑area terrain ranging from desert and canyon country to ponderosa pine, mixed conifer forest, and alpine tundra (spanning close to 8,000 feet of elevation change within about an hour of campus), as well as occasional overnight or multi‑day travel for more distant field campaigns and for conference travel. Laboratory work involves electronics assembly/test equipment, RF signal generators and spectrum analyzers, 3D printers, and drone hardware. The position may require occasional overtime, particularly around field campaigns and sponsor reporting deadlines. The position may require handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with sponsor and university data‑security requirements.

Responsibilities Include

45% - Radio Source Localization & Path Planning Research

• Lead development of algorithms and software development for real‑time radio‑frequency (RF) source localization from an aerial platform.
• Develop and evaluate path‑planning strategies that optimize UAV positioning to improve localization accuracy and efficiency.
• Investigate RF propagation modeling approaches, including terrain‑aware and simplified models, to characterize tradeoffs between prediction accuracy and computational cost in complex terrain.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the project's research approach as findings develop, including potential extensions to additional operating scenarios.

25% – UAV Platform Development, Field Testing & Test Coordination

Lead integration and adaptation of UAV hardware and RF‑sensing payloads (hardware and software) to meet