Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Special Information

This position is subject to the availability of funding.  The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.

Job Description

Join an exciting Northern Arizona University research team (https://gurneylab.nau.edu/) in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona doing cutting-edge research on quantifying GHG emissions at multiple scales from the building to the globe. This research aims to build a multiscale (city to globe) high-resolution GHG emissions model using a machine learning approach. This will complement the existing emissions modeling systems (Vulcan - https://vulcan.rc.nau.edu/ and Hestia – https://hestia.rc.nau.edu) developed in NAU’s Gurney Lab over the past 20 years. 

Candidates must have received a PhD in a field related to the positions (spanning Computer Science, Informatics, Civil Engineering, Physics, Ecological/Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Science, Data Science, Geography) from an accredited college or university. The applicant will be expected to publish peer-reviewed journal articles and work in a team environment, effectively communicating with the research team. This position will also require supervision of a small research team.

Job duties include data collection and pre-processing of ML model input data (remotely sensed, infrastructure, atmospheric data, etc), developing/improving machine learning model for flux estimation, testing, different models, creating diagnostics for different models and input data sets. Postdoctoral scientist will be responsible for producing a high-resolution native resolution and regular gridded output and will also supervise a graduate student(s) and/or a small team in assisting in aspects of the project.

Job Function and Duties 

Research and Publication - 50%

• Data collection and pre-processing of ML model input data (remotely sensed, infrastructure, atmospheric data, etc), developing/improving machine learning model for flux estimation, testing, different models, creating diagnostics for different models and input data sets.
• Postdoctoral scientist will be responsible for producing a high-resolution native resolution and regular gridded output.
• Review literature and identify appropriate approaches and develop peer-reviewed publications reflecting research outcomes.

Software Development - 30%

• Development of new codebase environment that encompasses data ingestion, pre-processing, machine learning, and structured output.

Outreach and Communication - 10%

• Outreach and communication of results at scientific meetings.

Co PI Responsiblities - 5%

• Postdoc is anticipated to contribute to proposals, ideally as a co-PI.

Other duties as assigned - 5%

• Supervision of graduate student research and other team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctorate in relevant field is required  (e.g. Computer Science, Informatics, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Data Science) from an accreditated university by the date of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Multiyear numerical analysis
• Minimum of three years experience in use of machine learning in science applications
• Minimum of two years experience in use of remote sensing products (trace gas, land cover, optical/IR)
• Multiyear R and/or Python Programming
• Mutiyear experience wokring with remote sensing data products
• Experience working in Linux environment with high performance computer
• Experience workign in a team environment with shared workflow (code, data, analysis)
• Experience with infrastructure/energy data
• Experience in quantification of GHG emissions

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of working with GHG flux reporting/quanitification and analysis
• Use of GIS in context of urban data such as building layers, road layers, and other infrastructural or socio-demographic data
• Development, authorship, and understanding of medium-size R scripts
• Maintenance of organized computational workflow and data environment with documentation
• Strong motivation towards urban GHG/AQ quantification and science, policy application
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in team environment with shared workflow    

Salary

Anticipated salary range is $58,882 - $73,434.  Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Application Deadline

May 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.  Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.