During the period of work, Summer 2025, the efforts of the incumbent will support and benefit an existing U.S. Naval Research Lab project on use of the geomagnetic field as a complementary positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) signal. Work will involve developing and implementing multi-physics inverse modeling methods to support reference magnetic map-making. Analytical and model products of magnetic data will be used to ensure PNT and to enable an alternative-to-GPS localization and navigation capability for uncrewed Navy platforms.
The incumbent, under the supervision of the principal investigator, is responsible for the processing and inverse modeling of geomagnetic data to support the generation of improved continuous coverage gridded maps. Magnetic data types include satellite, airborne, shiptrack, and autonomous vehicle data. Methods for generating magnetic data and model products and the products themselves will be documented in written reports and as computer code.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor Degree in Geophysics, Geoscience, or Engineering.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of fundamental concepts in geophysics and specifically in potential fields and geomagnetics. Familiarity with at least one computer language, e.g., Python, Matlab.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Previous experience in working with magnetic survey data, including databasing, data processing, map production, and interpretation. Previous experience using Python libraries or Matlab tools to process and visualize magnetic data.

• Assist in building digital databases of raw magnetic survey measurement data.
• Assist in processing magnetic measurement data to produce consistent estimates of the lithospheric magnetic field for individual survey measurement sets.
• Assist with experiments in modeling magnetic field data from multiple surveys to estimate the lithospheric field from composite magnetic datasets.
• Assist with experiments in producing estimates of sediment layer thickness and depth to magnetic basement from multi-physics inverse modeling.
• Assist in making quantitative comparison of newly developed magnetic map products with existing baseline maps using, for example 2D wavelet coherence methods, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.