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Job Title

Research Specialist IV

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Institute For A Disaster Resilient Texas

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Houston, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

The Division of Research is committed to a truly comprehensive university where students, researchers, and inventors bring scholarship and innovation to bear for the benefit of the community, the state, and the nation. Texas A&M’s research creates new knowledge that provides basic, fundamental, and applied contributions resulting, in many cases, in economic benefits to the state, nation and world.

What We Want

The Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT) seeks a Research Specialist IV to support the Disaster Data Reconnaissance Center (DDRC) with the development, execution, and delivery of advanced data-reconnaissance products that strengthen disaster resilience decision-making across Texas. The Research Specialist IV, under general direction, conducts field data collection, operation of remote and physical sensing systems, safety and regulatory compliance, data processing and analysis, technical documentation, and production of actionable geospatial data products. The position will also contribute to project management, stakeholder engagement, publication support, and training for internal and external users.

What You Need To Know

Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

+ Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

+ Ten years of related experience in a specialized and relevant field of research.

Required Licenses and Certifications

+ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remote pilot license (part 107), small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Strong understanding of GIS, remote sensing, UAS operations, and environmental sensing technologies.

+ Ability to interpret and process complex datasets to create meaningful decision-support products.

+ Skill in writing technical documentation, mission summaries, and operational guides.

+ Ability to work independently in the field under variable terrain and weather conditions.

+ Clear communication skills, including the ability to brief stakeholders, prepare technical presentations, and train personnel.

+ Strong organizational skills, with ability to manage equipment, field logistics, and multi-modal data workflows.

+ Ability to adhere to safety requirements, regulatory guidance, and data-security protocols.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Experience with multispectral, thermal, LiDAR, or hyperspectral remote-sensing systems.

+ Demonstrated proficiency in geospatial analysis platforms (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, AutoDesk ReCAP)

+ Experience developing technical documentation, standard operating procedures, or workflow guides.

+ Experience supporting interagency operations, emergency response, or mission-critical data environments.

+ Proficiency in data visualization, environmental monitoring, or artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted analytic workflows.

+ Prior experience training audiences or managing data-collection teams.

+ Familiarity with satellite remote sensing (electro-optical (EO)/satellite aperture radar (SA)R) and data-fusion practices.

Responsibilities

+ Data Reconnaissance- Conducts field data collection campaigns using UAS, RTK systems, GPS/GNSS, ground-based sensors, and environmental instrumentation. Plans, coordinates, and executes data-collection missions, ensuring compliance with state, federal, and institutional safety requirements. Performs sensor deployment, calibration, flight operations, and data-quality assurance for aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic platforms. Processes and analyzes multispectral, thermal, hyperspectral, and Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) datasets to generate products such as digital elevation models, orthomosaics, inundation assessments, and environmental indicators. Develops technical workflows, mission documentation, and operational guides to improve the efficiency of recurrent reconnaissance campaigns. Supports rapid-response activations and collaborates with partner agencies, integrating multi-source data for situational awareness products.

+ Project & Program Support- Supports project management activities including scheduling, equipment logistics, resource allocation, and operational coordination. Assists with grant-funded research deliverables and ensures timely completion of technical milestones. Participates in stakeholder meetings with state, federal, and regional partners to translate capabilities into applied resilience strategies. Contributes to the development of data standards, operational best practices, and emerging products and services. Provides internal leadership through cross-team collaboration, drawing on experience managing multi-agency, high-tempo operations

+ Research Publications- Assists project teams with preparing technical reports, white papers, and peer-reviewed publications. Produces graphics, data visualizations, and geospatial figures to communicate results clearly to audiences. Supports the drafting of methods sections, workflow descriptions, and operational appendices using best practices in geospatial intelligence, remote sensing, and environmental data analysis. Conducts literature reviews and integrates findings into research outputs.

+ Training- Trains undergraduate and/or graduate students and other technical or field staff involved in research. Develops and maintains training materials for external users.

Physical Requirements

+ Ability to transport equipment up to 50 lbs; work outdoors for extended periods; operate in field environments with limited seating, varied terrain, and unpredictable weather.

Other Requirements and Factors

+ May have to work on the weekends and/or after normal hours.

+ May travel as required.

+ This position is security sensitive.

+ This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures.

+ All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements.

+ This position allows alternate work location per TAMU guidelines.

+ This position may require up to 50% or more travel.

+ This position may require work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends.

+ This position may direct and/or evaluate the work of others.

+ This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

+ Health (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/medical/) , dental (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/dental/) , vision (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/vision-insurance/) , life and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/life-add/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

+ 12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays

+ Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html)  and at least  eight hours of paid vacation each (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) month

+ Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

+ Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)

+ Professional Development: All employees have access to free  LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/)  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

+ Employee Tuition Assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance/) and Educational Release time (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/educational.html) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.