Research Scientist II, S 1-4

University of Alabama in Huntsville; Alabama; On-site; USD 67,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alabama in Huntsville is seeking a Research Scientist II to lead data analysis tasks and metadata extraction from extensive Earth Science NASA datasets. You will oversee processes, validate data, and ensure accurate cataloging for reuse in research projects.

The role requires a Master's degree, 1–2 years of related experience, Python proficiency, and familiarity with NetCDF/HDF5 data formats; strong documentation and MS Office skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant scientific field or equivalent.
• 1–2 years of verifiable full-time work experience in science, engineering, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages.
• Familiarity with NetCDF or HDF5 data formats.
• Ability to document workflows clearly and explain concepts to teams.
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead data analysis tasks and coordinate data extraction and validation.
• Catalog and manage metadata from large Earth Science NASA data collections.
• Document workflows and communicate technical concepts across teams.

Skills

Python

Data analysis

Documentation

MS Office

Education

Master's Degree

Tools

NetCDF/HDF5

Git/GitHub

GIS software

AWS

Job description

Job no: 504354
Department: Information Technology & Systems Center
Work type: Staff Full-time Exempt
Location: Alabama
Categories: Research - Computer Science

Purpose of the Position:

The Research Scientist II will serve as task lead over various processes and be responsible for data analysis, extracting, validating, and cataloguing vital metadata from complex, large-scale Earth Science NASA scientific data collections.

• Master's Degree in a relevant scientific field or an equivalent combination of education and years of work experience.
• 1 to 2 years of full-time verifiable work experience (preferably in science, engineering, business, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in Python or other programming languages.
• Familiarity with common scientific data formats, such as gridded data like NetCDF or HDF5
• Ability to document workflows clearly and communicate technical concepts to both scientific and engineering team members
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite

Desired Qualifications:

• Foundational knowledge or hands-on experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS) environments (e.g., S3 storage, EC2, Lambda).
• Experience with GIS software (ArcGIS, QCIS) or geospatial libraries (GDAL/OGR, Rasterio, Geospandas)
• Organizational skills and an eye for detail, essential for catching inconsistencies in vast datasets
• Familiarity with Git and GitHub for code sharing and collaboration

Published Salary (if available):

$67,151 - $89,611

Advertised:

Sep 02 2026 Central Daylight Time

Please note, job openings are posted for a minimum of three (3) business days and may be removed from the job posting board and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.