Radar Scientist

The Center for Geospace Studies at SRI International is seeking an enthusiastic Radar Scientist to join our team. This position is based at our headquarters in Menlo Park, CA, with a hybrid work schedule.

The Center for Geospace Studies is part of the Space & Survivability Laboratory within the Advanced Technology and Systems Division at SRI. The Laboratory is home to multiple collaborative groups that perform research and development in a variety of areas, such as advanced radio and optical sensing systems, bioelectronic interfaces, optical materials development, energetic materials development, laboratory aeronomy, space and atmospheric sciences, and radar/radar technique development.

The Center specializes in upper atmosphere/ionosphere physics and observations as well diversified interests in other data uses, analysis techniques, and radar development. Amongst other things, the Center is responsible for the development, deployment, and operation of the Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR) systems and a network of optical systems used for basic ionospheric research and is involved in a wide variety of basic and applied research programs related to the geospace environment. Staff collaborate with other expert resources across SRI and beyond to maintain the team's position at the forefront of atmospheric observation and interpretation.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to on-going and future research efforts related to ionospheric radar/sensor development, radio propagation, disturbances in the ionosphere and upper atmosphere, and more. Team members are encouraged and mentored to develop their own research programs.

In this role you will:

Contribute to the development of sensor techniques in areas such as software, systems, algorithms for the use, processing and analysis of radar data, or hardware.
• Use and maintain existing software tools developed within the group.
• Interact with scientific users, and other data consumers, both inside and outside the group, ensuring that data are obtained and utilized efficiently and correctly.
• Contribute to scientific studies and publications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary staff and contribute to group projects within the Laboratory and across SRI.

The person we seek will be highly motivated to participate in the collection, analysis, quality control, and exploitation of data collected by existing group instrumentation and to investigate and develop new and innovative capabilities in these, and related, areas.

Successful attributes include creativity, self-motivation, critical thinking skills, analytical and complex problem-solving skills, communication skills to present results and the ability to work well in a team environment.

• PhD in relevant Physics, EE, or related discipline or a Master's degree with appropriate, applicable experience.
• Must have U.S. Citizenship with the ability to transfer/obtain/maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• Demonstrated programming expertise including Python.
• Experience with other interactive and compiled languages (such as Matlab, IDL, C++, or FORTRAN) is an advantage as is familiarity with signal processing hardware, interfacing, and related laboratory test equipment.
• Familiarity with ground-based ionospheric observation techniques or other geophysical instrumentation is an advantage.
• Limited travel may be required.

The salary range is: $112,880-$149,570. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For more than 75 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.