Post-Doctoral Associate in Remote Sensing Radar/LiDAR (One-Year Appointment, Renewable Based on Funding Availability)

The UMSL Geospatial Collaborative at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL)

The UMSL Geospatial Collaborative at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in Remote Sensing (RADAR/LiDAR). This is a full-time, 12-month research position beginning January 1, 2026 (or earlier by mutual agreement). The appointment is entirely research-focused, offering a unique opportunity to advance state-of-the-art methods in RADAR and LiDAR remote sensing for GEOINT and geospatial applications.

The selected candidate will be based on-site in St. Louis, Missouri, under the supervision of Dr. Reda Amer, Director of the UMSL Geospatial Collaborative, and will collaborate closely with researchers and scientists from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). This position is part of UMSL's broader effort to strengthen partnerships with NGA and to support research in advanced remote sensing, geomatics, and geospatial intelligence within the rapidly expanding St. Louis Geospatial Ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

* Conduct Advanced Remote Sensing Research: Lead and support original research projects involving RADAR and LiDAR data processing, analysis, and integration for terrain modeling, earth surface monitoring and mapping.
* Collaborative Research with NGA: Work closely with national geospatial intelligence (NGA) scientists and UMSL researchers to develop, test, and validate remote sensing algorithms, workflows, and data fusion techniques that align with NGA's priorities.
* Data Analysis and Method Development: Process and analyze airborne and satellite-based radar and LiDAR datasets. Develop innovative approaches for 3D mapping, topographic modeling, change detection, and object classification using tools such as ENVI, ERDAS, ArcGIS, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent platforms.
* Dissemination of Findings: Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to NGA Tearline publications, and present findings at major scientific meetings such as AGU, IGARSS, ASPRS, and GEOINT.
* Mentorship and Engagement: Participate in UMSL Geospatial Collaborative research seminars and community engagement activities. Provide guidance to graduate and undergraduate students working on remote sensing and geospatial science projects.

This position supports a project funded by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which limits participation in the project to citizens of the United States. As a result, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this position.

Required Qualifications

* Education: Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, Geomatics, Geospatial Science, Geospatial Engineering, or a related field (completed by start date); ABD candidates with a scheduled dissertation defense before the appointment start date are also eligible.
* Technical Expertise: Proven proficiency in RADAR and/or LiDAR data processing and analysis, including experience with data calibration, feature extraction, and 3D modeling.
* Research Experience: Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or technical reports.
* Programming and Analysis Skills: Experience with Python, MATLAB, or R, and geospatial software such as ENVI, ERDAS, ArcGIS, or QGIS.
* Collaboration and Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work both independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience applying RADAR interferometry (InSAR), LiDAR point cloud analysis, or multi-sensor data fusion for environmental, geological, or infrastructure studies.
* Familiarity with machine learning or AI-based approaches for remote sensing data interpretation.
* Background in geomatics, geodesy, photogrammetry, or 3D mapping.
* Prior experience collaborating with federal agencies (e.g., NGA, NASA, USGS) or defense-related geospatial projects.
* Experience in grant writing, proposal development, or leading research projects.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University of Missouri System offers a comprehensive faculty benefits package, including health, retirement, and tuition assistance. For more information, please consult UMSL Human Resources and review the UMSL Faculty Benefits Guide (PDF).

Applicants should submit the following materials as PDF files via the UMSL careers portal: 1) Cover Letter: outlining qualifications and interest in the position. 2) Curriculum Vitae (CV). 3) A brief research statement or summary of past research accomplishments and future research goals; 4) Contact information for three professional references including the applicant's Ph.D. advisor. For questions regarding this position, please contact:Dr. Reda Amer - Director, UMSL Geospatial Collaborative (Chair of the Search Committee) - Email: reda.amer@umsl.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This position supports a project funded by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which limits participation in the project to citizens of the United States. As a result, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this position.

About UMSL

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is the region's premier public research university, enrolling nearly 15,000 students. UMSL is classified as a doctoral university with high research activity (R2) and offers a comprehensive range of academic programs while engaging in strong partnerships with government, industry, and community organizations.

Learn more: https://www.umsl.edu/geospatial/index.html

About St. Louis

UMSL is located in suburban St. Louis County, in a metro region of ~2.8 million people. St. Louis is an affordable, culturally rich city known for its iconic Gateway Arch, diverse neighborhoods, thriving arts and music scene, and world-class free attractions (including the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Science Center, and Saint Louis Art Museum). The city hosts 16 Fortune 1000 companies and multiple major research institutions, making it an attractive place for academic and professional growth. St. Louis is also home to the new western headquarters of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA West), making it a national hub for geospatial innovation and workforce development.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.