Remote sensing scientist

Background

GNS Science is a Crown Research Institute (CRI) owned by the New Zealand Government and is New Zealand’s largest geological science organisation. It provides geological, geophysical and isotopic research and consultancy services to government and industries within New Zealand and internationally.

Within GNS Science, the Natural Hazards Division undertakes research into hazards and risks related to earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunami, is responsible through the GeoNet project for the monitoring of these hazards, and is also responsible for the national geological mapping programme.

The Regional Geology Department comprises 20 staff, 9 at Lower Hutt and 11 in Dunedin and includes geologists, GIS analysts and petrologists responsible for the preparation and update of New Zealand’s geological maps and hazard maps, utilising various spatial data resources.

Duties and responsibilities

- GNS Science is seeking a scientist to utilise remotely-sensed, multispectral and LiDAR data to map and monitor natural hazard features, and assess surface change immediately following natural hazard events in order to aid damage assessment and relief efforts.
- The work will also involve applying remote sensing techniques to geological and engineering geological mapping, semi-automatic feature detection, and integrating remotely-sensed products with GIS.
- Prepare research and consultancy proposals to utilise remote sensing data in the application of natural hazard assessment, change detection and resource assessment.
- Provide advice to commercial clients in the application of remote sensing to natural hazard and resource assessments meeting contract specifications on time and to specified budget .

Qualifications

- The successful applicant will have a PhD in earth sciences or similar, preferably in specialising in the field of remote sensing and relevant post-graduate experience in the application of remote sensing techniques to detect changes in surface features.
- Experience in the use of GIS and particular ArcGIS software.
- Familiarity with other remote sensing software such as Vexcel Earthview InSAR and Earthview APP software would be an advantage.
- Knowledge of and/or interest in New Zealand’s natural hazard environment.
- When appropriate, a willingness to work with Iwi/Maori groups and organisations to build relationships with the aim of facilitating Maori development.