Research Assistant – Remote sensing of air quality

Purpose and Objectives

ADPC is an autonomous international organization with a vision to reduce disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific by working with all key stakeholders. Established in 1986 as a technical capacity building center, ADPC has grown and expanded its role to be for scientific, educational, developmental and humanitarian purposes. ADPC employs a wide range of professional expertise typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC develops and implements cross-sectoral projects/programs on the strategic themes of risk governance, urban resilience, climate resilience, health risk management, preparedness for response and resilient recovery. Our strategic themes are complemented and underpinned by the cross-cutting themes of gender and diversity, regional and transboundary cooperation as well as poverty and livelihoods.

Through its work, ADPC supports the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the agenda defined at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, and other relevant international frameworks

For details, please refer to ADPC website.

The Geospatial Information (GEO) Department supports stakeholders to increase their uses of geospatial technology, data, and information for supporting decision making related to disaster risk management and climate resilience. The department supports all thematic areas of focus of ADPC to achieve their goals, mainly through:

• Increased accessibility and technical capacity to develop, maintain, and use geospatial information including disaster and climate risk maps, forecasted and real-time disaster data for early warning, and damage data for post-disaster assessment and recovery planning;
• Increased awareness by decision makers on applications of geospatial information in disaster risk management and climate resilience decision making, and
• Geospatial solutions, such as maps, tools, models, and data, customized to the demands of stakeholdersSERVIR Southeast Asia (SERVIR SEA) is a 5-year project, co-created by USAID, NASA, and ADPC, to address disaster and climate resilience as well as environmental issues in Southeast Asia.

SERVIR SEA’s objective is Expanded and Scaled Climate Actions by using Satellite Data and Geospatial Information in Decision Making, which will be achieved through the following outcomes:

1. Regional platform(s) strengthened and/or established for accelerating, scaling, and/or sustaining adoption of data and information
2. Increased investment from diversified partnership with stakeholders to support the development and use of data and information
3. Increased accessibility of data and information
4. Strengthened capacity of Stakeholders to use data and information SERVIR SEA's Air Quality Monitoring for Sustainable Landscape and Better Human Health regional service aims to address the growing concern over air pollution and to provide valuable information on air quality to promote sustainable landscape management and protect human health in the region.

As Southeast Asia experiences rapid industrialization, urbanization, and seasonal events such as forest fires and agricultural burning, the need for effective air quality monitoring and management becomes increasingly important for the well-being of both the environment and human health. The service uses a combination of satellite-based remote sensing, ground-based monitoring, and machine learning analysis to provide real-time and forecasting information on air quality. In this framework, the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) satellite mission has recently started to provide air quality related data over the Asian continent. The retrieval of key atmospheric species at sub-daily intervals are anticipated to advance and enhance the potentiality of satellite remote sensing technology for air quality surveillance and specifically the temporal and spatial specifications of satellite observations and nowcasting. One of the immediate objectives of the SERVIR Air Quality service is to integrate the GEMS data into the operational system. In this regard, the SERVIR SEA is seeking a research assistant to conduct satellite-based remote sensing of air quality related work. Specifically, we are looking for a young professional with experience in analyzing satellite data products and specifically from the GEMS satellite mission. Candidates must have experience in working with geospatial products, excellent programming skills and an ability to produce science-based output. This position is located in ADPC, Bangkok, but there is a possibility of working remotely.

Expected Outputs

The following outputs are expected from the assignment:

1. An operational fully-automated satellite data pipeline which can provide near-real time air quality indicators from the GEMS satellite products, written in an open-source programming language and with detailed inline documentation.
2. A detailed presentation of the analysis of a through calibration / validation exercise between the GEMS satellite measurements and surface observations (such as AERONET and regulatory-grade stations) to quantify the degree of association between the datasets.
3. Based on output 2, a scientific publication to be submitted to a publisher for peer review.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will deliver the outputs, through the following work scope: • Conduct a desk research on the GEMS scientific work published in related peer-reviewed journals and technical notes; • Participate in workshops and training activities focusing on GEMS satellite data and processing; • Lead a validation/comparison study between the surface observations and the GEMS satellite retrievals; • Co-author, with ADPC and AST experts, a scientific paper for a subsequent peer-reviewed publication;

Working Principles

The consultant will report to the ADPC Senior Scientist, while working together with the Geospatial Data Scientist and other member of the team throughout the assignment. This is a full-time position and s/he is expected to not have other study or work obligations during the assignment.

Qualifications

The consultant is expected to possess the following qualifications:

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in remote sensing, atmospheric physics, environmental sciences or a related discipline from an accredited institution;
• Experience in analyzing satellite atmospheric datasets, and especially from the GEMS geostationary satellite;
• Ability to process various large geospatial datasets, conduct statistical analysis and conduct scientific evaluation of the results;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English language;
• Demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed scientific literature;
• Proficient in presenting research results at professional meetings;
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment;
• Excellent skills in programming languages, preferably Python or/and R;
• Experience working with Linux operating system;
• Knowledge of the air quality context of Southeast Asia considered a plus;
• Work experience in Southeast Asian Countries considered favorably.

Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand, but a home-based assignment may be considered.

Duration: This assignment will be for 6 months, from 01 October 2023 until 31 March 2024.

Condition of payment: Payment will be made based on completion of key milestone outputs, as per the payment schedule agreed by the consultant and ADPC.

Submission Requirements: The consultant must submit the following documents for ADPC’s consideration. • a CV • a cover letters • at least 2 references who can attest to the provided examples of the prior work • evidences of successful similar work conducted by the applicant

How to apply

Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form, (downloadable from www.adpc.net), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter, to adpcjobs@adpc.net

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

ADPC encourage diversity in its workplace and support an inclusive work environment.

Note: Applicant who submits incomplete documents required as listed above will not be considered.