Senior Geospatial Analyst, MethaneSAT

With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace where innovation and results are a way of life.

EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share our Core Values of Respect, Results, Innovation, Optimism, and Integrity, and support our Commitment to Diversity.  

MethaneSAT, LLC, an affiliate of Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is launching a new, high performance, purpose-built satellite--MethaneSAT--to map and measure oil and gas methane emissions worldwide, with the potential to assess emissions from the full range of man-made sources. The satellite will enable us to gather methane emissions data on a global scale and with data from other sources, locate and quantify these emissions.  Data from MethaneSAT will help EDF reduce methane emissions by 45% by 2025 and holds the potential to help reduce the temperature of our planet by as much 0.5 degrees C by the end of the century.  This could be the most impactful environmental project yet conceived.

Overall Function

MethaneSAT, LLC is seeking a Senior Research Analyst with proven geospatial analytical, research and data/project management skills in support of a major satellite mission to advance the development of source attribution of methane emissions from the global oil and gas (O&G) sector using geospatial data and analytics including remote sensing and machine learning. The Senior Research Analyst will be a key team member in the MethaneSAT team and will work closely with EDF's Office of the Chief Scientist and EDF scientists, technologists and external partners from academia and industry to lead, support and coordinate the development of a global O&G infrastructure database as well as source attribution strategies and data analytics related to the MethaneSAT mission.

Responsibilities include working with and coordinating interdisciplinary teams and projects at the intersection of large-scale datasets, geospatial analytics, remote sensing and machine learning.

Key responsibilities

Specific tasks will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead data analytics and integration of multiple and disparate datasets including high-resolution satellite imagery, O&G related datasets and methane measuring satellite datasets to support the development of a global O&G infrastructure database.

• Conduct geospatial, remote sensing and other advanced data analyses for EDF's O&G infrastructure mapping and emission inventory projects and prepare data visualizations and reports of findings.

• Ensure high degree of confidence in the projects' data products including but not limited to developing QA/QC strategies regarding the infrastructure database.

• Manage key components of ongoing projects with external partners from academia, industry and research organizations including experts in machine learning and satellite remote sensing.

• Apply multi-sensor satellite remote sensing for methane emissions characterization.

• Build relationships and consult regularly with public agencies, funders, researchers, academics, NGOs, industry representatives, public officials, and other partners.

• Perform literature reviews as well as analyze and synthesize scientific/technical information on a variety of topics to inform and support MethaneSAT mission.

• Help develop reports, fact sheets, blog posts, and other materials for general and specific audiences on the topics of focus.

• Work with a team of scientists and technologists to write up project results for staff, partners, donors and peer-reviewed scientific journals.

• Represent EDF in external meetings with a high degree of professionalism.

• Support other "rapid response" and/or project development efforts on an as-needed basis.

• Participates in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with at least 2 years of relevant experience (preferred) or Bachelor's degree with at least four years of experience in Geoinformation Science and Analytics, Geospatial Technologies, Earth Systems Science, Remote Sensing or in a related discipline.

• Strong quantitative background in geospatial data analytics and tools (e.g. geostatistics and related applications to GIS and remote sensing data, and GIS tools)

• Experience in machine learning is a plus.

• Experience working with large geospatial and satellite datasets is highly desired.

• Strong proficiency in scientific programming languages (Python and/or R preferred)

• Background (or strong interest) in Oil & Gas sector and related methane mapping is highly desired.

• Demonstrated skills in data and project management.

• Intellectual agility and comfort with working on a wide variety of environmental topics.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Experience translating quantitative geospatial analytical information for non-specialist audiences.

• Ability to work independently and support a multi-disciplinary team, using independent judgment to plan, prioritize, and organize a diverse workload in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Willingness to travel.

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.