Professor - Geological Sciences jobs in Racine, WI

Visiting Scientific Specialist, Coastal Analysis
Illinois State Geological Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) is a premier state geological survey serving the needs of the public, government, and industry with earth science information and research relevant to natural resources, environmental quality, economic vitality, and public safety. ISGS is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Learn more at https://prairie.illinois.edu/about/jobs/

ISGS is seeking to hire a Visiting Scientific Specialist, Coastal Analysis to assist in the collection, processing, evaluation, and dissemination of coastal geologic datasets and their derivative products. Position is based in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Plan and conduct aquatic-terrestrial field-data collection efforts along the Illinois Lake Michigan coast. Fieldwork may be under adverse conditions and require non-standardized work hours (i.e., early morning departures) to utilize optimal data-collection windows (e.g., calm marine conditions for vessel-based sonar and sampling studies). Field work may also occur under strenuous weather conditions (e.g., in snow and ice), in remote areas of forested park terrains (e.g., at Illinois Beach State Park, Lake County, IL), and/or along the traffic-heavy urban lakefront of Chicago. Field activities often require moderate physical exertion (e.g., walking several miles per outing). The position also involves lifting and carrying items, with some field equipment weighing up to ~40 lbs., operating data loggers and handling equipment in cold weather, the proper maintenance and charging of field equipment, and following/refining documentation/data management workflows.
Perform shallow geophysical mapping in coastal environments using reflection geophysical methods, specifically ground-penetrating radar (GPR).
Deploy other terrestrial and shallow water surveying methods (e.g., beach and wading surveys using RTK GPS, single-beam sonar studies from crewed and remotely controlled vessels).
Conduct sediment sampling by way of auger probing, grab sampling (from terrestrial environments and aquatic environments [e.g., using Ponar samplers]).
Ensure the safety of staff and equipment.
Perform routine equipment management and maintenance.
Process and interpret remotely sensed data, including subsurface geophysical (GPR).
Perform analyses on sediment cores and other geologic samples (e.g., description, photography, subsampling, grain-size analysis, etc.).
Develop and maintain stratigraphic databases (e.g., picks from geophysical data) and assist in the development, revision, and management of other coastal geospatial databases (e.g., historical aerial imagery, sUAS data, bathymetry data).
Assist in the processing and analysis of all coastal geospatial data (e.g., orthomosaics, digital elevation models, digitized shorelines, net change models, etc.).
Assist in the generation of metadata for publishable coastal geospatial data (e.g., orthomosaics, digital elevation models, digitized shorelines, net change models, etc.).
Construct and/or help create data-derivative products (e.g., maps, graphs, and data plots) for various avenues of dissemination (e.g., fact sheets and GIS Story Maps).
Characterize, assess, and model the spatial characteristics of coastal environments (e.g., generate sand-thickness models based on stratigraphic picks from geophysical interpretations).
Perform GIS-based work related to coastal reconstructions and sand assessments.
Develop and maintain GIS datasets, particularly those involving geophysical information.
Assist in the reporting of activities and data products by creating maps, supplying write-ups, data summaries, presentations, and/or online content derived from geophysical (GPR) and/or other field data (e.g., digital terrain models), and existing maps, data layers, and GIS files.
Participate in/contribute to public outreach events, workshops, and/or other outreach and personal development activities (as deemed applicable to the nature of the position by supervisory staff).
Participate in and help with field trips and other Survey Coastal Group-stakeholder and/or similar engagements.
Present data products to a variety of audiences and contribute to ISGS Coastal Group publications (e.g., conference abstracts, project reports, etc.).
Keep abreast of developments in the discipline, particularly those related to GPR data-acquisition and processing methods, GIS and other mapping workflows, and global positioning technologies (RTK-GPS).
Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and University.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in earth science, environment science, geography, or related discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. Working experience with remote-sensing technologies and principles of GPS and GIS and their application to coastal geological data collection. Experience with precision positioning systems (RTK-GPS methods) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) operations in sandy coastal environments. GPR-data processing and file management. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat America boater safety certification or equivalent. Valid driver’s license. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in earth science, environment science, geography, or related discipline. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. Background in remote sensing technologies such as single-beam sonar and small unoccupied aircraft and boat systems. FAA Remote Pilot Certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, and teamwork skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, often under minimal or intermittent supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly employed software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite). Willingness to take Boater Safety course(s) and contribute to offshore sampling and geophysical mapping operations.

Work Environment: Fieldwork may be under adverse conditions and require non-standardized work hours (i.e., early morning departures) to utilize optimal data-collection windows (e.g., calm marine conditions for vessel-based sonar and sampling studies). Fieldwork may also occur under strenuous weather conditions (e.g., in snow and ice), in remote areas of forested park terrains (e.g., at Illinois Beach State Park, Lake County, IL), and/or along the traffic-heavy urban lakefront of Chicago. Field activities often require moderate physical exertion (e.g., moving/traversing several miles per outing). The position also involves moving and transporting items, with some field equipment weighing up to ~40 lbs., operating data loggers and handling equipment in cold weather, the proper maintenance and charging of field equipment, and following/refining documentation/data management workflows.

Appointment Information: This is a full-time visiting academic professional appointment renewable annually based on satisfactory progress in the position and continued funding. Position may become a regular, non-visiting position at a later date depending on funding and programmatic need. The starting date is negotiable and the salary is commensurate with experience.

Application Procedure and Deadline Information: Applications must be received by 6:00 p.m. Central on August 6, 2023. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after this date. To apply, please use the Apply Now button. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Application materials must include a 1) a cover letter that clearly articulates how your qualifications and experience make you a viable candidate for this position and should address the qualifications listed above, 2) a CV or resume, and 3) the names and contact information including e-mail addresses of three professional (not personal) references. All requested information and documentation must be submitted for applications to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

For further information please contact Lori Walston-Vonderharr, Human Resources, Prairie Research Institute, at lwalston@illinois.edu or 217-244-2401. For questions regarding the application process, including technical issues, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1019208
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu