Description
The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science invites applications for a Geospace Solutions Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The Geospace Solutions Specialist will form part of the Space Remote Sensing group (SRS; formerly known as the Auroral Imaging Group) in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, working on deliverables for various grants, contribution agreements and contracts related to space environment research. A key purpose of this position is to support the operations and development of remote scientific instrumentation, including field work to perform deployments, maintenance, repairs, and training for the instrumentation.
Further, this role will also contribute to the development of software located both on remote instruments and locally on UCalgary servers to support the operations and development activities. The Geospace Solutions Specialist will also work with the science team to design, execute, and analyze test campaigns to assist in the specification of hardware for remote scientific instrumentation during the development phase of a project. This role may include in-scope supervision of other development staff, managing instrument/sub-system development and/or maintenance projects as well as ensuring that as technologies change, the unit adapts to and learns the new technologies. The incumbent may support other development projects by providing knowledge, skills, and on-the-job training to others. This position works closely with industrial and science partners in the geospace industry and will contribute to instrument quality control and performance assessment, standard operating protocol development, development of instrumentation proposals, and may contribute to and assist in submitting research grants proposals.
This position will include remote field work to perform new deployments, maintenance, or repairs on remote scientific instrumentation. The level of field work is expected to be 5-10 trips (each less than a week in length) throughout the year. Travel is prioritized over the summer and fall and will vary according to the group's activity level and needs of the equipment.
Peak periods will occur in instrument deployment and maintenance periods, typically during the May-Sept months. The incumbent is expected to travel to install and service instrumentation, and ensure successful operation through appropriate training of operations personnel. Work may occur outside of normal work hours during these periods. This position reports to the PI.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Software Design and Research Support
- Responsible to bridge research level code and/or methodologies to operational frameworks in coordination with operations and science teams
- Design and implement software solutions to support advanced research processing and/or visualization
- Design, implement, and maintain server architecture to support existing and future instruments for the lifecycle of the respective project
- Design and implement operational planning management systems for existing and future projects
- Assist in the design, implementation and maintenance of Data Management Systems (DMS) for ingestion, storage, and processing of data from sensors and/or models
- Identify inadequacies in current processes and design/implement software to streamline processes
Remote Instrumentation Design and Operations
- Assist in the design and implementation of remote monitoring systems and/or procedures to ensure efficient operations of remote sensor networks
- Perform solo/group field operations for the purpose of training, repairing existing instruments, or the installation on new scientific instruments
- Assist or lead, as required, in the development of software and hardware for new instruments
- Assist and/or lead specification of system requirements (performance, functional, operational, etc.)
- Develop sensor/system performance models to assist in verification of sensor design and/or configuration
- Design prototype systems (and associated test campaigns) to verify design performance
- Detailed data analysis to determine performance metrics, verification of design, and investigate the feasibility in a production setting
- Build and/or manufacture sensor systems for field deployment
- Contribute to operational planning for existing and future projects. Includes planning of full project lifecycle (design, manufacture, deployment, operations, etc.)
General
- Prepare and/or update documentation and technical reports as required
- Assist in the preparation of funding proposals and evaluation of instrument concepts for potential future mission partnerships
- Responsible for management, maintenance, or control of a specialized area
- May be involved in day-to-day supervision of staff or students, monitoring, planning, and organizing activities of others
- Recommend changes to methods, procedures, and practices within the lab
- Under limited supervision and direction, develop and implement original experiments within guidelines of the research
- Oversee reliable and safe operation of all lab equipment for various users, including stocking of all necessary materials and supplies
- Trains and supervises staff, students, and faculty in the operation of equipment and lab protocols
- Keeps the lab and work area clean and safe. Contributes to the maintenance of lab equipment
- Establishes and maintains effective, productive relationships with staff, peers, immediate supervisor and senior management and with the campus community
- Manage own time effectively and ensure immediate reports to manager is kept informed of activities, and progress of work
- Demonstrate strong communication, team and customer service skills, and the ability to exercise judgement within established guidelines
- Extensive understanding continues learning and development of safety codes, standards and systems related to specialization.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- At least a Bachelor's degree or diploma in Electrical/Computer/Software Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Geoscience, or related
- 1 to 3 years related technical experience
- Demonstrated critical thinking, communication, organization, problem solving and interpersonal skills
- Ability to be resourceful, innovative, and able to build creative solutions to problems
- Strong team player and effective communicator is required
- Self-motivated with high initiative to contribute to the long-term success of the team
- Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Internet skills
- Ability to provide technical support for other team members through advice on technical lab issues
- Extensive knowledge of theory and practical application of technical procedures and techniques
- Open to learning and development, and be willing to accept new challenges and assignments
- Understanding of safety codes and standards related to specialization
- Ability to work with limited direction
Field Work
- Active Class-5 driver's license and ability to rent a vehicle
- Prior field work experience is desired (remote locations preferred), including outdoor and travel experience in a variety of weather conditions
- Experience with field and laboratory safety practices, remote field safety and accident logistics
- First aid training is a plus (if not, training will be provided)
Instrumentation Systems
- Familiarity with network infrastructure concepts (IP addresses, subnets, port forwarding, netmasks, gateways, firewalls). While expertise is not required, a general understanding is required for effective communication and troubleshooting
- Experience in the design and implementation of software control systems for remote instrumentation, such as embedded devices, is a plus
- Software Frameworks, Programming and General Analysis
- Must have moderate experience with software programming in Python
- Must have moderate experience with Linux system administration and Git (e.g., Debian or Redhat based distributions)
- Experience with programming in C/C++, Java, BASH, IDL, are pluses
- Experience with handling and processing large datasets, including matrix manipulation and detailed computations for generation of advanced data products, is a plus
- Experience in web application, databases, and/or API development is a plus (HTML, CSS, Node, JavaScript, Django, FastAPI, Redis, PostgreSQL)
Application Deadline: July 2, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
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We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
