Geospatial Developer (Senior Faculty Specialist)

The University of Maryland (College Park) Department of Geographical Sciences is searching for a Geospatial Developer at the rank of Senior Faculty Specialist.

The Geospatial Developer will use knowledge and skills associated with remotely sensed data, software development, and systems architecture to create an efficient, accessible, and sustainable platform for onloading, analyzing, and extracting large-scale spatial data into decentralized and traditional information systems. The position will be responsible for developing pipelines to accelerate the above workflow to increase data equity and resiliency efforts while leveraging novel decentralized technologies. This individual must operate independently to craft maintainable, testable, and well-documented code. Candidates should have extensive experience in scientific programming in Python and Javascript and a willingness to learn Go, Solidity, Rust, and other languages as required. Further, the individual should be comfortable with relational, NoSQL, and P2P databases and system administration with Docker (Compose / Swarm), AWS, K8’s, and associated networking tools. Strong candidates will have had previous experience operating within public-public and public-private partnerships within the remote sensing, software engineering, or Web3 industries. Moreover, strong candidates would have knowledge and experience with the following Web3 tools / subjects: Filecoin, IPFS, MetaMask, and EVM Blockchains.

The initial duration of this appointment is for a two year term with the potential for extension based on performance and availability of funding.

This role would be a member of the Center for Geospatial Information Science (CGIS) and the Spatial Multiscale Analytical Science Hub (SMASH), in addition to the Department of Geographical Sciences. As such, the geospatial developer would be encouraged to interact with these broader communities and potential collaborate on additional projects.

Minimum Qualifications and Required Skills

• BS in Geospatial Data Science, Geographic Information Science, Computer Science or close equivalent;
• Experience developing and optimizing algorithms;
• Demonstrated ability to independently craft and document scientific code;
• Experience constructing end-to-end user-facing data delivery systems (EX. REST APIs, web-based mapping, programmatic APIs);
• Extensive programming experience in Python and Javascript using best practices;
• Comfortable working with the python geospatial stack, including GDAL, shapely, Rasterio, Geopandas, PySAL, rasterstats, etc.;
• Familiarity with geospatial data structures and algorithms and OGC standard protocols (EX. COGs, STACs);
• Familiarity with current remote sensing platforms (Landsat, Sentinel, WV, Planet) and data delivery systems (EarthExplorer, Google Earth Engine, SentinelHub, S3);
• Understanding of Web 3 systems and P2P networking;
• Experience using desktop software, such as QGIS;
• Ability to incorporate diverse development tools and environments, such as Docker, Docker Compose, reverse proxies (Nginx, Traefix, etc), Git, Github, NPM, Poetry, AWS (S3, DynamoDB, EC2, Snowball, Lambda), Jupyter Notebooks, Linux;
• Excellent English oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Exposure and willingness to learn Go, Solidity, Rust, etc., as required to complete job requirements;
• Experience with EVM Blockchains and interest in exploring blockchain-related technical research;
• Familiarity with onloading data to IPFS, Filecoin, and other decentralized - “Web 3” – systems;
• Experience conducting or contributing to GIS and Remote Sensing research projects;
• Experience writing documentation for non-technical audiences;
• Experience with remote sensing for publicly funded agencies (EX. NGA, NASA, USGS, IARPA, FEMA);
• Previous contributions to advancing data equity and access;
• History of open source software development, including successfully distributing and packaging scientific and non-scientific software systems.

Applications should include a brief (1 page) cover letter, a resume or CV, and the names and contact details (including phone and e-mail) of 3-5 references.

For best consideration, applications should be submitted by July 22nd, but the search will continue until the position is filled. To Apply: https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/96492.

For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Taylor Oshan at toshan@umd.edu. Further information on this position and on academic and research programs of the Department can be found at http://www.geog.umd.edu. Applications from women and minorities are particularly sought.

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.