Hazard Science Technical Lead

How to Apply

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter detailing their specific interest in the position, CV, and contact information for three references.

Job Summary

The new NSF-supported Center for Land Surface Hazards program at the University of Michigan, Department of Earth and Environmental Science is looking for a Hazard Science Technical Lead to support geohazard science through the collection, processing and analysis of perishable data following major hazard events. The technician will play a major role in the Center Major Activities that collect and process field and remote sensing data including leading disaster event response, coordinating data collection and field campaigns, and supporting data integration efforts across the Center's four Hazard Observatories. Primary disaster event response responsibilities include providing a wide range of geospatial data collection, imagery collection and analysis with geographic information (GIS) systems to provide spatial context for hazard events, development and refinement of analytical methods and tools for feature extraction and image/ topography differencing, including applications of ML to spatial and temporal time series data. The technician will also lead planning and responsible execution of field work teams for post-event perishable data collection, following events and for data curation, and distribution according to FAIR practices. Primary Hazard Observatory duties include coordination of data collection efforts, development of systems to curate and share data across the Center, support for publication of data in publicly available repositories, and hosting team coordination activities that connect various Center personnel across its 21 partner organizations.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Why Work at Michigan?

We are so proud that the University of Michigan offers comprehensive benefits to support your wellness as you plan for a stable and secure future. To enhance a career filled with purpose and opportunity, other benefits include:

• Generous time off programs.
• Our retirement plan provides two-for-one matching contributions.
• Comprehensive options for health, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Tuition support, including the ability to take undergraduate courses in LSA at no cost.
• Meeting-free days and communication norms that help you to "unplug" from work.
• Access to deals, discounts, and attractions; see Uniquely Michigan for details.

While you will primarily work from our central campus in Ann Arbor, LSA offers flexible work options. To support work-life balance, LSA has an email policy that limits non-essential emails to weekday business hours. We invite you to take a look at LSA's mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities*

The Hazard Science Technical Lead will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Lead hazard event response teams following disasters. Provide a wide range of geospatial data collection, imagery collection and analysis with geographic information (GIS) systems to provide spatial context for hazard events. Lead planning and responsible execution of field work for teams of 5-10 personnel collecting post-event perishable data.

Develop data management and curation activities. Drive the cyberinfrastructure development lifecycle for processing and managing complex, high-volume geospatial data crucial to research objectives. Develop and implement data standards of practice, metadata protocols and data curation workflows.

Advance analytical methods and tools for geospatial analysis. Development and refinement of analytical methods and tools for feature extraction and image/ topography differencing, including applications of machine-learning to spatial and temporal time series data.

Coordinate Center data collection efforts and team integration activities. Coordination of data collection efforts, development of systems to curate and share data across the Center, support for publication of data in publicly available repositories, and hosting team data coordination activities that connect various Center personnel across its 21 partner organizations.

Required Qualifications*

• Ph.D. in relevant field or MS degree in geoscience or engineering with 6+ years of experience in remote sensing, analysis of optical and radar imagery and field data acquisition.
• Minimum of three (3) years of research experience collecting, processing and analyzing geospatial data, preferably within a university research, government, or non-profit environment.
• Experience with advanced data management practices, metadata practices, and programming skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating field teams in complex and challenging environments.
• Thrives on fostering collaborative relationships and providing essential support to research teams

Desired Qualifications*

• PhD in geoscience or engineering with a background in remote sensing, analysis of optical and radar imagery and field data acquisition.
• Two to five (2-5) years post-PhD research experience collecting, processing and analyzing geospatial data, preferably within a university research, government, or non-profit environment.
• Experience working with or in the hazards community (e.g., emergency management, geoscience, climate resilience).
• Demonstrated experience with design and implementation of analytical methods and tools for feature extraction and image/ topography differencing including applications of ML to spatial and temporal time series data.
• Demonstrated experience with geospatial data analysis, field geodetic data collection (i.e. LiDAR, UAS, GPS, TLS).
• Demonstrated experience with project planning and management
• Demonstrated experience with cyberinfrastructure development lifecycle for processing and managing complex, high-volume geospatial data with open-data principles.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, 12-month term-limited position with a possibility of renewal based on the availability of funding, the availability of work, and overall successful performance.

Additional Information

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.