Job Description Summary

Position Overview
The Department of Geographical Sciences seeks an accomplished, mid-career research scientist to join as a Visiting Associate Research Professor focused on wildfire emissions, atmospheric composition, and wildfire remote sensing applications to air quality and climate.
The successful candidate will join the existing NASA FireSense team, playing a pivotal role in this high-priority initiative to improve wildfire management and science through innovative technology. You will lead independent, externally funded research, collaborate with academic and federal partners, and translate satellite observations into operational and policy-relevant products.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain a vigorous, externally funded research program in wildfire science, atmospheric composition, and/or air quality modeling.
• Actively contribute to the NASA FireSense mission by developing and validating tools that bridge the gap between Earth observations and fire management needs.
• Manage collaborative projects with federal agencies (e.g., NASA, EPA) and state or local fire and air-quality stakeholders.
• Advance methods for integrating geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite data, airborne/in situ observations, and modeling systems to improve emissions estimates and smoke forecasting.
• Lead the development, validation, and dissemination of computational tools and operational products such as burned-area algorithms, FRP/FRE retrievals, and emissions-related products.
• Publish high-impact peer-reviewed research and present findings at national and international conferences and stakeholder workshops.

Minimum Qualifications
Required

• Ph.D. in Earth System Science, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• A strong publication record demonstrating independent research leadership in wildfire emissions, air quality, or remote sensing.
• Proven experience leading funded research projects and a clear ability to secure and sustain external support.
• Demonstrated expertise with satellite remote sensing, airborne and in situ datasets, and emissions or air-quality modeling.
• Technical skills in scientific programming, geophysical data analysis and visualization, and scientific writing.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with stakeholders and translate research into operational or policy-relevant applications.

Desired

• Prior experience working with federal agencies and participating in or leading tasks within the NASA FireSense initiative.
• Experience in interdisciplinary, team-based science and leadership roles (e.g., Project PI or Workgroup lead).
• Experience participating in or leading airborne field campaign teams.
• Demonstrated success in communicating complex science to decision-makers, emergency managers, or the general public.

Salary range $130,000-145,000.00

Physical Demands: N/A

Additional Job Details

Financial Disclosure Required

No

Department

BSOS-Geography

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$130,000-145,000

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

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