Research Associate (Cryosphere Climate Research Group), Faculty of Arts

Description

The Department of Geography in the Faculty of Arts invites applications for a Research Associate (2 positions). This Part-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Research Associate (RA) will work closely with the Cryosphere Climate Research Group (CCRG), under the direction Dr. John Yackel (PI), and provide high-level technical support to the PI working as part of the CCRG Sea Ice subgroup within the Department of Geography.

The primary purpose of this position is to generate high quality manuscripts for peer review journal publication (ie. JGR-Oceans, IEEE TGARS, Remote Sensing of Environment, Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing - are primary examples) both as a lead and co-author. To achieve these outputs, the RA will undertake a variety of signal and image processing, computer programming and modeling and statistical analysis tasks, among others, to produce knowledge related to multi-frequency, multi-polarization microwave interactions on snow covered Arctic sea ice. It is generally expected that the RA will produce one lead-author publication for every two that he/she co-authors with the PI.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Assist the PI with peer-review manuscript generation (both as a lead and co-author) stemming from multi-frequency polarimetric scatterometer and SAR data collected coincident with in-situ geophysical property data during the CEMSIE sea ice field experiment being planned for Mar-May, 2025 based out of Cambridge Bay, NU.
• May also lead or be involved in the field deployment of multi-frequency polarimetric scatterometer systems at the Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO), and at selected locations in the Canadian Arctic (ie. CEMSIE in Cambridge Bay), and work in collaboration with funded projects and faculty at the Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), University of Manitoba and members of Danish sea ice research groups and the European Space Agency CRISTAL Mission Advisory Group.
• Coordinate the acquisition, testing/calibration, operations/maintenance, and training of HQP on all major remote sensing equipment including the multi-frequency microwave scatterometer system for field deployments.
• Assist with the field planning activities of CEMSIE and CEMSIE research partners specified in the CSA ROSEO funded proposal to the PI.
• Assist the PI with SAR altimetry on sea ice-related research activities, via funded projects by the CSA and/or ESA related to the CRISTAL mission
• Provide mentorship and oversee the work of current M.Sc. and/or Ph.D. students and other Research Associates within the CCRG Sea Ice subgroup
• Assist with CEMSIE scatterometer data processing and analysis tasks as they occur
• Routinely debrief the PI on completed work to ensure quality and completeness
• Undertake specified activities (e.g., optimization of IDL and Python algorithms) to ensure the successful calibration of the collected microwave scatterometer and SAR data.
• Provide a comprehensive and accurate disclosure of methods in a clear and concise written document when the tasks are completed - or as required
• Present specialized, technical information and research results to the PI and Collaborators. This information will also be used by the PI to evaluate the quality and completeness of the work done by the Research Associate
• Actively participate in team meetings and occasionally make presentations at select conferences when asked.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A Ph.D. in Geography, Geomatics Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields is required - specializing in polarimetric scatterometer and SAR signal and image processing.
• 7-10 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience, initiative and innovation writing and optimizing IDL and Python - with application to large data volumes of polarimetric microwave scatterometer and SAR data.
• A strong knowledge of microwave remote sensing of snow-covered sea ice interactions and processes.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, accuracy, attention to details.
• Good lead-author publication record within the field.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (fluency in English is mandatory).
• The ability to actively work both autonomously as well as in a team.

Application Deadline: May 6, 2024.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

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We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.