(Temporary) GIS Specialist - Natural Resources and the Environment

The Entomology Program at West Virginia University is seeking a Geospatial Remote Sensing Analyst to support an interdisciplinary research project focused on international migratory moths. The candidate will work within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team of entomologists, engineers and other researchers to develop spatial databases, analyze satellite and biological datasets, produce maps and geospatial products to support modeling of migratory moth occurrence and movement across geographic regions. The position will develop a geospatial framework for the early detection and spatial prediction of transboundary migratory pests. This position integrates advanced data-driven approaches in entomology including remote sensing, GIS, and machine learning with focus on processing, analyzing, and integrating satellite, UAV/drone, ground-survey, environmental, and pest-occurrence datasets. This will be a temporary position for up to 8.5 months.

What You'll Do

• Acquire, process, and analyze satellite imagery from appropriate platforms, and integrate remote sensing technologies to develop scalable monitoring and control strategies.
• Prepare spatially and temporally consistent satellite datasets and develop automated workflows using Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS Pro, Python, and R.
• Develop geospatial databases and maintain efficient data management systems.
• Conduct spatial alignment and resampling of datasets to produce common- framework for multimodal data fusion for satellite, drone and field data.
• Contribute to technical reports, project documentation and support peer-reviewed publication.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, and international research teams.

Length of Assignment: 8.5 months

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 8:15am-4:45pm

• Master's degree in Geography, GIS, Entomology, Natural Resources, or a closely related field.
• Strong academic background with over five years of hands-on experience in GIS and geospatial analysis.
• Demonstrated research experience in agricultural remote sensing and analysis of satellite imagery for crop, vegetation, or environmental applications.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine for geospatial analysis, image processing, and visualization.
• Demonstrated experience processing and analyzing multi-source satellite imagery and UAV/drone-derived geospatial data.
• Experience developing reproducible geospatial workflows using Python and/or R.
• Ability to develop and maintain spatially aligned geospatial datasets and derived products to support multidisciplinary research and analysis preferred.
• Experience working with large and diverse geospatial datasets preferred.
• Experience with machine-learning applications in remote sensing preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team preferred.

• Bachelor's degree in Geography, GIS, Entomology, Natural Resources, or a closely rlated field.

• 0-6 months of the following:

  • Research experience in agricultural remote sensing and analysis of satellite imagery for crop, vegetation, or environmental applications.

  • ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine for geospatial analysis, image processing, and visualization.

  • experience processing and analyzing multi-source satellite imagery and UAV/drone-derived geospatial data.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.