Scientist, Data, Environmental Data Science

Mountain View, CA, United States

Position Summary:

The Data Scientist will conduct machine learning research and development to a portfolio of applications, including high-impact collaborations with NASA. This role will emphasize a keen focus on Earth science projects, particularly in the domain of generative AI. Projects under this role's purview will revolve around the creation and refinement of generative foundation models, specializing in areas such as computer vision, time-series prediction, and anomaly detection within the realm of Earth science. The Data Scientist will work under the direction of Scientists, Senior Scientists, and/or Project Managers to support project deliverables. The Data Scientist will also be involved with development of proposals for new collaborations involving both academia and industry, for joint public-private initiatives to address key national challenges.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Satisfy USRA's non-profit mission by making a distinctive impact through scientific and technical accomplishments in the assigned projects.

Provide expertise in one or several areas of machine learning and data science, such as computer vision, supervised/unsupervised learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, etc.

Showcase hands-on experience in generative AI, and demonstrate strong knowledge in foundation models and transformer-based generative approaches for computer vision tasks.

Showcase a comprehensive understanding and hands-on knowledge of Vision Transformers and generative models in general (e.g., VAEs, Diffusion models, GANs)

Showcase knowledge of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) and their application in Earth science.

Provide hands-on ML engineering to develop and customize machine learning algorithms (as a research code) in Python for achieving end results.

Provide hands-on experience in developing deep learning model architecture from scratch using PyTorch or TensorFlow.

Plan, schedule, and conduct activities in all phases of one or more significant research projects, as a PI, Co-PI, Project Scientist, or Project Lead.

Prepare presentations and reports as required, present results at conferences, and publish papers as appropriate.

Coordinate activities of project personnel with possible supervisory responsibility.

Act as a mentor for student interns involved in machine learning research.

Maintain an awareness of funding opportunities and support and/or lead proposal activities as approved.

Act safely, ethically, and in compliance with all laws, regulations, and USRA policies and procedures including:

Ensure the protection of intellectual property including submitting new technology disclosures and supporting patent applications.

Ensure export control compliance related to ITAR/EAR regulations.

Ensure compliance with all policies such as for timesheets and travel.

Complete all trainings as scheduled.

Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline with 3+ years of work experience.

Background in Earth science is a plus.

Skills

Proven experience in machine learning research and development. Experience with computer vision is highly desired.

Hands-on experience in Python, SQL, and other relevant languages and familiarity with various software platforms and frameworks.

Hands-on experience with deep learning libraries such as PyTorch and/or TensorFlow.

Expertise with efficient data manipulation techniques with various data mining and machine learning methods applied to geospatial “Big Data”, data with large volume, high velocity, high variability, and changing definitions.

Experience with formulating and developing new methods or modifications of existing methods for target problems.

Familiarity with typical applied data mining research, such as assessing whether existing methods are suitable for the targeted problem and articulating inadequacies in methods, if any exist.

Advanced experimental and analytical skills.

Knowledge and Abilities:

Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Ability to prioritize tasks, coordinate work with others, and meet multiple deadlines.

Ability to write technical reports and peer reviewed publications.

Ability to communicate through conference presentations, seminars, and other forums.

Model USRA’s core values:

Passion (for science, technology, and education).

Partnerships (with universities, governments, and the private sector).

Professionalism (through excellence, accountability, and respect for others).

Working Conditions :

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, etc. Keyboarding for large time spans each day will be a significant part of this position. This is largely a sedentary role.

Travel :

Employee must be willing and able to travel. Position may require domestic and international business travel.

Job Location: Mountain View, California, United States.

USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Race/Color/Sex.

The hiring range displayed is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed (Mt. View, CA). In extending an offer, USRA considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job-related skills, experience, knowledge, internal staff equity, and relevant education/training. The hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Mt. View, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the HR Business Partner when applicable. The full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Mt. View, California $92,900 -$146,370.

About USRA :

Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is an independent, nonprofit research corporation where the combined efforts of in-house talent and university-based expertise merge to advance aeronautics and space science and technology. The USRA Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science (RIACS) supports multiple NASA teams through USRA’s management of the NASA Academic Mission Services (NAMS) Program at NASA’s Ames Research Center. This includes support for projects with the NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI), NASA Aviation Systems Division, NASA Intelligent Systems Division, and the NASA Advanced Supercomputing Division.

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