Posting Detail Information
Working TitleResearch Scientist I - Remote Sensing Scientist (InSAR)
Position LocationFort Collins, CO
Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional PositionYes
Posting NumberAP
Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification TitleResch Sci/Scholar I
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week40
Proposed Annual Salary Range$75,000 - $95,000 Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
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Review our detailed benefits information here.
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Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on04/27/2025
Description of Work Unit
CSU hosts approximately 32,000 students in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and 100 km north of Denver. Fort Collins has approximately 165,000 residents and is routinely recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the USA . Fort Collins residents enjoy an excellent school system and expansive parks, natural areas, and trail systems. More information about Fort Collins and CSU can be obtained at and .
The CEE Department at CSU is recognized both nationally and internationally for its research, education, and service and outreach programs and is ranked in the top 40 CEE programs in the USA . The CEE Department comprises 34 faculty, 7 research scientists/scholars, 15 research associates, and 10 administrative professionals. Our faculty are leaders in interdisciplinary research and education and collaborate with faculty in the Atmospheric Science Department, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, the Natural Resources Ecology Laboratory, and the Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Department, and with researchers around the world. Our water-related programs are designated a CSU Program of Research and Scholarly Excellence. Annual research expenditures by the CEE Department have averaged $14.2M since 2016, including interdisciplinary research and education programs like the NSF U- WIN Center, CLEAN Center, NSF InterFEWS, and the NIST Center for Risk-Based Community Resilience Planning. Additional information about the CEE Department can be found at
Position Summary
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University seeks a highly motivated Research Scientist to work under the supervision of Prof. Ryan Smith. The Research Scientist will be responsible for processing large quantities (>50 TB) of InSAR data to produce time series of land deformation and long-term subsidence in large global watersheds. The locations will include highly vegetated regions, where decorrelation and tropospheric effects are expected to be significant. The Research Scientist will then work with the larger team to understand hydrogeologic drivers of subsidence. Expertise in processing large InSAR datasets is required, and experience working in regions with high tropospheric noise is preferred. The applicant should have extensive experience scripting in a server environment, and a firm understanding of computational languages such as python and MATLAB . The Research Scientist will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities at Colorado State University and will get an opportunity to work alongside graduate students, postdocs, and other research scientists from various backgrounds and diverse cultural ethnicity.
Required Job Qualifications
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Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree in Geodesy or a related field by the date of hire.
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Demonstrated competency in programming and coding and ability to handle and organize large datasets.
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Must have demonstrated experience publishing high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific papers in the field of InSAR processing.
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Must have experience with InSAR processing over large regions.
Preferred Job Qualifications
Essential Duties
Job Duty CategoryResearch
Duty/Responsibility
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Process InSAR data in a timely fashion over large regions.
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Remove noise sources including troposphere, ionosphere and decorrelation from vegetation growth.
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Validate deformation estimates using in-situ and remote sensing data sources.
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Relate deformation signals to changes in groundwater systems.
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Prepare and submit scientific publications.
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Scholarly presentations.
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Participate in grant writing.
Percentage Of Time80%
Job Duty CategorySupervision and management
Duty/Responsibility
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Supervision and training of research associates.
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Organize research meetings with collaborators.
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Coordinate the integration of data sources.
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Communicate with relevant agency personnel.
Percentage Of Time20%
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume/CV, and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search ContactRyan Smith,
EEO
Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested3
Maximum Requested3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ( ).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
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Cover Letter
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Resume or CV
Optional Documents