Space Geodesist Research Associate

Purpose

Applied Research Laboratories is a University Affiliated Research Center at The University of Texas at Austin, located on the Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. Through fundamental research, innovative science, and applied engineering, ARL:UT makes significant contributions in support of national security. Within ARL:UT, the Space and Geophysics Laboratory (SGL) engages in research in electromagnetic propagation, geo‑positioning, and remote sensing. The lab monitors the long‑term performance of GPS, addresses the specification of government geodetic‑quality GPS receivers, and designs and executes government tests for industry‑produced receivers. The Research Associate will provide precision survey and geodesy expertise and scientific rigor across a portfolio of technologies to improve these interests and advance the state‑of‑the‑art.

Responsibilities

• Perform high‑level independent precision survey and geodesy research relevant to the interests of SGL.
• Present and publish research internally and externally, including project reviews, technical interface meetings, scientific journals, and conference presentations.
• Contribute to first‑principles problem formulations, algorithm development, system designs, software implementations, and collection methods for specialized geodetic survey applications, drawing on expertise in physics, gravimetry, astronomy, GNSS, terrestrial survey instrumentation, and estimation theory.
• Apply knowledge of global reference frame determination, multi‑space geodetic techniques, metrology, geophysical phenomena, orbit determination, GNSS signals, and statistical estimation to address specialized geodetic applications; design experiments, analyze performance, and develop improvement recommendations.
• Implement software algorithms in C++ and Python in a collaborative environment; define interfaces, document implementations, and create and execute test cases.
• Provide guidance and assistance to full‑time and student employees; offer technical leadership and identify new research directions.
• Perform other related functions as assigned and occasional travel to support meetings.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in geodesy, geophysics, aerospace engineering, physics, earth science, or a related field.
• Experience developing scientific software in C++ or Python.
• One or more years experience developing methods of geodetic data collection and/or data reduction processes.
• Demonstrated record of authoring peer‑reviewed scientific publications.
• Demonstrated record of presenting scientific content to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Dynamic skill set, highly organized, capable of planning and coordinating multiple tasks, and strong time‑management.
• Attention to detail, effective problem‑solving, excellent judgment, and ability to work independently with sensitive/confidential information.
• Professional demeanor, teamwork without daily supervision, and effective communication with various client groups.
• Ability to work under pressure, maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a government security investigation and classified information access.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing global reference frames.
• Experience with multi‑space geodetic techniques such as satellite laser ranging and very long baseline interferometry.
• Experience using terrestrial survey instrumentation.
• Experience employing metrological tools and techniques for precise spatial measurements.
• Experience with star catalogs and celestial reference frames.
• Experience modeling geophysical phenomena.
• Experience estimating orbits of spacecraft and satellites.
• Experience using GNSS hardware and techniques for precise geo‑positioning, including processing carrier‑phase signals.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting digital receiver data.
• Experience with software‑defined radio, multi‑rate signal processing, HF radio, remote sensing, radar, wireless communications, RF signal processing, radio astronomy/interferometry, ionosphere, orbital mechanics, or digital design.
• Experience designing, implementing, and deploying robust scientific software.
• Experience employing statistical estimation techniques.
• Experience writing proposals and leading externally‑funded research projects.
• Experience with high‑performance computing.
• Proficiency with programming languages such as Python, C/C++, FORTRAN, or similar.
• Experience developing on Linux and Windows platforms, including terminal environments (bash), version control (Git/GitHub/GitLab), and cloud services (e.g., AWS).
• Proficiency with LaTeX.
• Eligibility for immediate access to classified information.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Benefits

• 100% employer‑paid basic medical coverage.
• Retirement contributions (Teacher Retirement System of Texas or Optional Retirement Program).
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• Paid holidays.

Pay

Salary range $120,000‑$165,000+ negotiable depending on qualifications.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• Repetitive keyboard use at a workstation.
• Manual dexterity required.
• Occasional weekend, evening, and holiday work.
• Possible interstate/intrastate travel.