JPL Postdoc: Remote Sensing of WildFires

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL takes on Earth science questions and societal challenges that affect the nation's communities and economy. Wildfire is one of the most pressing. Longer fire seasons, drier fuels and a growing wildland–urban interface are making fires more frequent, larger and more likely to burn at the same time. This has led to increasing adverse impacts on public health, communities, the economy, natural resources and ecosystems. A next generation of fuel maps is needed to support effective fuel management, wildfire preparedness and suppression response, moving beyond static products toward dynamic, multivariate characterization of fuel load, composition and flammability

Research Responsibilities:

- Develop scientific models, algorithms and data products that map fuel load, fuel composition and flammability across landscapes.

- Combine airborne and spaceborne imaging spectroscopy with thermal infrared observations as the core of the approach. Integrate other sensing modalities where they help, such as SAR, LiDAR and Solar-Induced Fluorescence (SIF).

- Validate and quantify uncertainty in the products using field measurements and independent reference datasets.

- Co-design tools and data products with our existing operational partners and stakeholders so the results are usable, relevant and sustainable over the long term.

- Publish results in peer-reviewed journals, present at scientific meetings and stakeholder forums, and release code and data in public repositories following open-science best practices.

Job Requirements:

- Ph.D., or equivalent experience, in remote sensing, Earth or ecosystem science, fire science, data science, computer science, engineering, statistics or a related field.

- Substantial experience analyzing and modeling remote sensing data, especially imaging spectroscopy and thermal imaging, including multi-sensor fusion with LiDAR, SAR, SIF or similar data.

- Experience with classification and regression or interpolation problems, such as mapping vegetation and fuel types or dominant vegetation types, and estimating fuel- and flammability-related traits as continuous variables.

- A strong publication record showing the ability to do research both independently and collaboratively.

- Strong communication and collaboration skills across research, interdisciplinary and external partner settings.

Desired Qualifications:

- Experience with fire science, fuels characterization or operational fire management applications.

- Demonstrated ability to process and analyze large geospatial datasets efficiently, preferably using high-performance computing (HPC) and/or cloud computing resources.

- A track record of documenting and publishing code and/or software in public repositories following open-science best practices.

- Experience asking for stakeholder feedback and incorporating it in a flexible, fast-changing environment.

The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with two JPL co-advisors, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years. Candidates should submit the following to this site: CV, representative publications, contact information for three references, and a cover letter stating their research accomplishments and interests.

If large language models (LLMs) were used to prepare the application, please state how.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$83,820 - $83,820

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here .