Research Scientist I, S4

UAH College of Business; Alabama; On-site; USD 73,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alabama in Huntsville seeks a Research Associate to support NASA SPoRT activities in machine learning for satellite remote sensing. The role focuses on air quality, wildland fire, and satellite data products, within the National Space Science & Technology Center in Huntsville, AL.

Responsibilities include ML development, data processing, product design, and collaboration with researchers and stakeholders. Strong Python and remote sensing background required; travel may be involved.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental science, meteorology, atmospheric science, Earth science or related field; 9+ months of experience required.
• Experience processing, analyzing, and visualizing satellite/geophysical data (TEMPO, MODIS, VIIRS, OMI, ABI, TROPOMI, EPIC preferred).
• Strong programming background in Python or other languages is required.
• Understanding of remote sensing theory, data applications, and meteorological principles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; team-oriented; able to publish results.

Responsibilities

• Support ML efforts in air quality, wildland fire, and satellite remote sensing.
• Provide scientific expertise for applied studies in satellite remote sensing and health/air quality.
• Contribute to design of higher-level air quality products and manage data distribution.
• Develop synergistic products from TEMPO, ABI, and GLM data for applications.
• Contribute to proposals and scientific papers on ML and remote sensing; travel as needed.
• Engage SPoRT stakeholders through workshops and conferences; present results.

Skills

Python

Satellite data processing

Machine learning

Remote sensing

Visualization

Communication skills

Teamwork

Scientific publishing

Education

Master's degree in a related field

Tools

Python libraries

Job description

Purpose Of The Position

We are currently seeking a research associate to provide support to NASA SPoRT science and application activities related to machine learning in one or more of the following thematic areas: Air Quality/TEMPO, Wildland Fire, and Satellite Remote Sensing. The position will be located at the National Space Science & Technology Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and will support the scientific development and application of satellite remote sensing products.

SPoRT is a NASA project to transition unique observations and research capabilities to the operational weather community to improve short-term forecasts on a regional scale. Based at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, SPoRT is collaborating with the University of Alabama in Huntsville to provide direct science support, along with science and technical coordination in the areas of weather, climate, air quality, natural disasters, satellite remote sensing, and data science and applications.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum Master’s of Science in environmental science, meteorology, atmospheric science, Earth science, environmental public health, or a closely related discipline (Bachelor's and experience in a specialized area may be substituted for a degree) and 9+ months of full-time work experience.
• Ability to perform satellite and geophysical data processing, analysis, and visualization (preferred experience would include the following sensors TEMPO, MODIS, VIIRS, OMI, ABI, TROPOMI, EPIC)
• Strong programming background in Python and/or other programming languages.
• Understanding of remote sensing theory, satellite data applications, air pollution chemistry, and meteorological principles
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to work closely with others in a team environment
• Desire to participate in science workshops and conferences, as well as in publishing results
• Experience with machine learning techniques with satellite and/or model datasets and working with large datasets is desirable but not required for the position

Duties / Responsibilities

• Support machine learning efforts in one or more of the following areas: air quality, wildland fire, and satellite remote sensing.
• Provide scientific expertise to facilitate applied science studies in satellite remote sensing and health & air quality or wildland fire.
• Contribute to the design of higher-level value-added air quality products for applied science studies and manage data distribution to science investigators.
• Develop synergistic products from TEMPO, ABI, and GLM data to enhance scientific applications, with special attention to wildfire smoke and lightning NOx.
• Participate in the development of new proposals and scientific papers on machine learning, satellite remote sensing, and numerical modeling.
• Actively participate in and support SPoRT stakeholders through workshops, meetings, scientific conferences, and presentations of research results, including occasional travel to engage collaborators and end-users.

Published Salary (if available)

$73,226.00 - $75,000.00

Advertised: Oct 30 2026 Central Daylight Time