Spectral remote sensing of terrain, modeling, and analysis
Research uses spectral remote sensing and lidar to characterize terrain composition, mechanical properties, and trafficability for Navy/USMC applications.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; relocation assistance and health insurance available.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship supporting research to improve remote terrain characterization using multi- or hyper-spectral and lidar instruments for Navy and USMC applications.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a doctoral degree earned within the last 5 years; research conducted at Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC.
Description
This postdoctoral fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on advancing techniques, instruments, and methods for remote terrain characterization using multi- or hyper-spectral and lidar sensors. The research aims to improve understanding and modeling of terrain properties including bare soils, vegetation, and various soil deposits such as sands, clays, silts, saline soils, organic soils, and peat.
Key terrain properties of interest include composition, consistency, mechanical characteristics (strength, deformability, stability), and time-dependent deformation. The research combines high-altitude and surface-proximity remote sensing techniques, covering spectral ranges from ultraviolet (UV) through long-wave infrared, alongside detailed geotechnical and geological investigations for model development and validation.
Forward modeling using radiative transfer models that incorporate bare soil and vegetation reflectance is a significant focus. The ultimate goal is to enhance the ability to describe terrain features and derive material properties useful for predicting soil behavior under mechanical loads, including trafficability assessments relevant to Navy and USMC operations.
The research group maintains state-of-the-art spectral calibration facilities and a broad array of airborne sensors, including lidar and hyperspectral sensors spanning 300 nm to 2500 nm, as well as cameras covering mid-wave and long-wave thermal ranges. Data collection occurs globally using various aircraft, supporting diverse research missions. The fellowship includes data processing, analysis, model improvement, and product generation for military applications.
Keywords
Remote sensing, multi-spectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR, thermal imaging, geotechnical engineering, trafficability, sediment strength.
