Research Scientist III

Purpose of the Position

The Research Scientist III, Step 2, will support the Office of Data Science and Informatics (ODSI) within the Earth Systems Science Center. This role focuses on advancing data science capabilities to support NASA Earth science data management, access, and dissemination.

Job no: 503639

Department:
Earth System Science Center

Work type:
Staff Full-time Exempt

Location:

Alabama

Categories:
Research - Environmental

This role is suited for candidates with a strong research and computational background who can operate effectively across disciplinary boundaries and contribute to both scientific discovery and operational system development within NASA Earth science programs.

ODSI evaluates trends across data science and informatics communities to inform strategic direction and develop effective, scalable solutions. The office also provides a user-centered perspective on how Earth science data are represented, communicated, and utilized. The position contributes to cross-disciplinary collaboration aimed at improving all phases of the Earth science data lifecycle, including policy, engineering, workflows, and information delivery.

• Prepare and curate validation datasets to support the development and assessment of AI and machine learning models.
• Evaluate model performance using appropriate statistical and computational methodologies.
• Conduct integration testing to ensure models operate effectively within research and operational systems.
• Identify and define new use cases for AI applications across Earth science domains.
• Develop and implement software solutions across multiple projects in both research and operational contexts.

• Master’s degree in Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Remote Sensing, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 2.5–3 years of full-time, verifiable professional experience.
• Extensive experience working with geospatial datasets and associated technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with numerical modeling for Earth science applications.
• Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed publications.
• Strong programming background (e.g., Python, C/C++, or similar scientific computing languages).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to reason through complex, interdisciplinary problems, including those outside one’s primary area of expertise.

• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Remote Sensing, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• Experience with proposal development and grant writing.
• Familiarity with AI/ML model development, evaluation, and deployment in scientific or operational environments.

$88,528 - $94,170