Research Scientist I - Remote Sensing Scientist (InSAR)

Colorado State University; Colorado; Remote; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Research Scientist to join their Civil and Environmental Engineering team. This role involves processing extensive InSAR data to analyze land deformation and subsidence in significant watersheds. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. and proven experience in managing large datasets, programming in Python and MATLAB, and publishing impactful research. Join a collaborative environment that values innovation and research excellence, where your contributions will directly impact the understanding of groundwater systems and environmental changes. If you're passionate about making a difference through research, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required with experience in InSAR data processing and large dataset management.
• Competency in programming and publishing peer-reviewed papers is essential.

Responsibilities

• Process and validate InSAR data for land deformation studies.
• Supervise research associates and coordinate data integration.

Skills

InSAR data processing

Programming in Python

Programming in MATLAB

Data handling and organization

Publishing scientific papers

Education

Ph.D. in Geodesy or related field

Job description

Research Scientist I - Remote Sensing Scientist (InSAR)

Working Title: Research Scientist I - Remote Sensing Scientist (InSAR)

Position Location: Fort Collins, CO

Work Location: Position is fully in-office/in-person

Research Professional Position: Yes

Posting Number: 202500460AP

Position Type: Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title: Research Scientist

Number of Vacancies: 1

Work Hours/Week: 40

Proposed Annual Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000 Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Employee Benefits: Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/27/2025.

Description of Work Unit

CSU hosts approximately 32,000 students in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and 100 km north of Denver. The CEE Department at CSU is recognized nationally and internationally for its research, education, and service and outreach programs and is ranked in the top 40 CEE programs in the USA. Additional information about the CEE Department can be found at here.

Position Summary

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University seeks a highly motivated Research Scientist to work under the supervision of Prof. Ryan Smith. The Research Scientist will be responsible for processing large quantities (>50 TB) of InSAR data to produce time series of land deformation and long-term subsidence in large global watersheds. Expertise in processing large InSAR datasets is required, and experience working in regions with high tropospheric noise is preferred. The applicant should have extensive experience scripting in a server environment, and a firm understanding of computational languages such as Python and MATLAB.

Required Job Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree in Geodesy or a related field by the date of hire.
• Demonstrated competency in programming and coding and ability to handle and organize large datasets.
• Must have demonstrated experience publishing high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific papers in the field of InSAR processing.
• Must have experience with InSAR processing over large regions.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Prior experience with groundwater applications of subsidence.
• Demonstrated experience working in collaborative research settings.

Job Duty Categories

Research

• Process InSAR data in a timely fashion over large regions.
• Remove noise sources including troposphere, ionosphere and decorrelation from vegetation growth.
• Validate deformation estimates using in-situ and remote sensing data sources.
• Relate deformation signals to changes in groundwater systems.
• Prepare and submit scientific publications.
• Participate in scholarly presentations.
• Participate in grant writing.

Supervision and Management

• Supervision and training of research associates.
• Organize research meetings with collaborators.
• Coordinate the integration of data sources.
• Communicate with relevant agency personnel.

Conditions of Employment

Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).

Search Contact

Ryan Smith, [e-mail]

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.