Ionospheric Scientific Researcher
Job ID: 18255B
The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) Geospace group is seeking a research scientist to support investigations of the Earth’s ionosphere and its impacts on defense-related systems through basic research and applied science. Our group participates in signal and data analysis, radio frequency (RF) applications, and ionospheric modeling. Candidates should possess familiarity in one or more areas: atmospheric and ionospheric chemistry and dynamics, empirical and physics based ionospheric models, information propagation through disturbed environments, radar signal propagation, data analysis, and signal processing. This position is located on the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Key Responsibilities:
- Working with coupled global atmospheric and ionospheric models
- Investigating ionospheric impacts on radio wave propagation
- Demonstrating creative ability through problem solving and contributing to scientific and technical reports, articles, and presentations
- Conducting scientific investigations of considerable complexity
- Acting primarily independent, planning, and coordinating major scientific applications requiring thorough knowledge of all parameters impacting the result
- Serving as an internal consultant, often instructing, directing, and monitoring the work of personnel assigned to broad ionospheric projects
- Coordinating broad projects and performs necessary work to obtain or maintain technical leadership in the scientific field
Required Qualifications:
- PhD or M.S. in Physics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
- Proficiency in scientific computing or programming
- Experience with research, execution, and documentation
- Has been the first author on a peer reviewed scientific paper
- Ability to communicate clearly both written and verbally
- Ability to make decisions in a timely manner, sometimes under tight deadlines and pressure
- Experience identifying new instrumentation or analytical methods to advance the scientific field
- Has good judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work and is able to balance scope with project needs and resources
Desired Qualifications:
- Demonstrable experience and expertise in signal processing and image analysis
- Familiarity with atmospheric or ionospheric measurement techniques
- Knowledge of and experience with Linux environments
- Ability to analyze and visualize ionospheric and atmospheric data
- Competency in common programming languages and analysis tools (e.g., Python, Julia, C++) or languages commonly used in the scientific field (e.g., Fortran, IDL, Matlab)
- Knowledge of ionospheric and atmospheric models (e.g., IRI, TIEGCM, MSIS)
- Formal or informal mentoring experience
SDL Benefits:
At SDL, we take pride in and highly value our employees. SDL offers competitive salaries and a fantastic benefits package including:
- Generous paid annual, sick, and holiday paid leave, ensuring you never miss a special event
- Great employer retirement contribution with up to 14.2% of annual gross earnings with no matching required!
- Utah State University undergraduate tuition discounts of 50%, full reimbursement for graduate tuition, and free course audits for employees and dependents meeting eligibility requirements
- A variety of inexpensive-premium, high-quality health, dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Relocation assistance available for most positions
SDL supports a variety of missions, including NASA's vision to reveal the unknown for the benefit of humankind. Our sensors, satellites, software systems, and science and engineering play an essential role in some important missions you've heard of, and others that you haven't. Join our team in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.