Careers @ MSU

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University invites applications for a Fixed-Term Research Specialist position. This role provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge interdisciplinary research at the intersection of water resources, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Narendra N. Das and will be associated with the Remote Sensing in Hydrology and Agriculture Laboratory (RSHAL). They will receive annual appointments for an expected three-year term, contingent upon satisfactory performance, continued funding, and mutual agreement.

The Research Specialist will play a central role in advancing the use of remote sensing technologies, hydrologic modeling, and crop modeling for societal applications. A primary focus will be on the development and application of algorithms using radiometer and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations from satellite missions such as SMAP, NISAR, Sentinel, and Landsat. These data will be used to derive high-resolution soil moisture, crop condition, and other land-surface parameters critical for hydrologic and agricultural applications. Integrating these observations with state-of-the-art hydrologic and crop models will support improved predictions of water availability, agricultural productivity, and resilience under climate variability and global change.

Strong computational skills are required for this position. The candidate must demonstrate expertise in Python for handling large-scale geospatial datasets, developing scalable, automated workflows, and applying advanced data analytics, including machine learning techniques, for model calibration, validation, and optimization. The ability to design reproducible code and document methodologies will be essential for supporting both independent and collaborative research efforts within RSHAL.

The position emphasizes collaboration and interdisciplinary research. The successful candidate will actively contribute to ongoing and new research projects in partnership with faculty, research staff, and external collaborators. They will also assist in developing competitive research proposals for federal and state agencies, enhancing the visibility of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and RSHAL at national and international levels.

Mentorship and student training are integral responsibilities. The Research Specialist will supervise and mentor Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers, providing guidance on research design, data processing, scientific writing, and professional development. By fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment, the candidate will contribute to the laboratory’s mission of preparing the next generation of scholars and professionals in hydrology, agriculture, and Earth observation sciences.

Finally, the candidate will be expected to maintain a strong record of scholarly dissemination. This includes publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, presenting at national and international conferences, and engaging with stakeholders to translate research outcomes into practical applications for water resource management, precision agriculture, and climate resilience.