Staff Associate III

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) of Columbia University located in Palisades, New York, is seeking a Staff Associate III to support the project AVERT: Anticipating Volcanic Eruptions in Real Time. This project aims to demonstrate new technologies and methodologies for measuring precursory signals on active volcanoes in order to inform eruption forecasts. The AVERT team is seeking an individual with web development/data science skills to help with the continued development of our real-time volcano data web portal (https://avert.ldeo.columbia.edu/). Our goal is to develop a stable set of tools that allow the public and researchers alike to access real-time data from a swath of volcano sensors. Eventually, this system of tools will be individually containerized and made available for volcano observatories and academics who wish to support open data access.

In this role, the Staff Associate III will use their knowledge of software and web development and their analytical skills to revamp the existing web site, manage and expand the AVERT data archive, and design new data management and processing methods in response to feedback from users in the volcanology community, including faculty, students, and US and international agencies. The Staff Associate III will interface with data managers at AVERT partner institutions in the US and abroad as needed. Work may require travel (less than 5% of time) to collaborating institutions or field sites.

Duties and Responsibilities will include:

• Responsible for cataloging, documentation, management and archiving of AVERT data at LDEO, including the development of automated routines for data analysis.
• Maintains and improves the project website, including the development of data visualization toold and containerized microservices.
• Collaborates with AVERT postdoc, Dr. Conor Bacon, to build out and stabilize a volcano imagery database and the associated API.
• Assists with overall project and tool documentation.
• Assists with fieldwork planning and logistics.
• Participates in teleconferences, meetings, working groups, and related activities as needed.
• Will carry out projects and job duties with minimal supervision and exercises independent judgement within parameters set by the Lamont Associate Research Professor serving as PI. Will not supervise others.

Bachelor's degree in the fields of computer science, physical sciences, or engineering, or a closely related field and 4-6 years of experience in software development. Advanced degree a plus. Experience in common programming languages such as Python (a priority), R, Java, HTML, flask, ruby, or similar, and Linux systems required. Experience with Docker and software containers. Knowledge of web development frameworks, e.g., React/Node.js, APIs, and databases required. Strong communication skills in English are required, fluency in Spanish a plus. Excellent team work and problem-solving skills are a must. Prior experience in geoscience research is a major plus. Experience with field work in challenging environments. Willing and able to learn technologies and required domain knowledge at a rapid pace and work effectively in a dynamic, collaborative environment with colleagues across job functions and departments. Experience and resourcefulness with all aspects of the software development cycle from analysis through evaluation, documentation and version contact, preferably using git.

The search will remain open for at least 30 days after the ad appears and will remain open until the position is filled.

Appointments are made on a fiscal year basis and are eligible for renewal each July 1st, contingent upon performance and funding.

Columbia University benefits accompany this Officer of Research appointments.

The Lamont campus values diversity and inclusion, and encourages applications from members of underrepresented minority groups.

We accept online applications only.