Join ARA as a Geophysics Research Scientist

At Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA), we are committed to hiring talented individuals who embody our core values of passion, freedom, service, and growth. Our Algorithms, Modeling, and Assessment (AMA) Division is currently seeking a Geophysics Research Scientist to advance research projects in seismology, acoustics, and other physical sciences.

Position Location and Remote Work

This role is based in Burlington, MA, but we offer remote work options for qualified candidates residing near or in the Houston, TX area. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, applicants must be U.S. citizens eligible for a Department of Defense Secret level or higher security clearance.

Key Responsibilities

Operate Geophysical Instrumentation

• Maintain and test geophysical instrumentation and related hardware.
• Travel to remote locations, including international destinations, to install equipment and conduct geophysical studies.
• Collect and process data from various geophysical instruments, such as distributed acoustic sensing.

Conduct Advanced Research

• Develop innovative techniques and algorithms to gain new insights into geophysical phenomena and enhance automated processing.
• Lead research projects focused on detecting and characterizing seismic and acoustic data from explosions.
• Generate new project ideas and assist in proposal development.

Use Specialized Skills

• Simulation tools for seismic and acoustic wavefields.
• Shallow geophysics exploration methods.
• Time-series and spectral domain signal analysis.
• Graphical data and results visualization.
• Advanced deep learning and data mining techniques.
• Numerical analysis using Matlab, Python, or similar tools.

Support Ongoing Projects

• Collaborate with dynamic research teams.
• Work independently to expand expertise on specific topics.
• Interact with software developers for solution implementation.
• Conduct field experiments and data collection.

Quality Documentation

• Author and contribute to high-quality reports, presentations, proposals, and technical products.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of related experience, or Master’s degree with 3-5 years of related experience in seismology, acoustics, or related fields.
• Expertise with modern physics-based modeling tools and data processing (e.g., Python, Matlab, C/C++, Fortran, Julia).
• Experience with geophysical instrumentation and challenging outdoor environments.
• Proficient in shallow geophysics data collection and analysis.
• Willingness to travel up to 75%, including international trips.
• Experience with Linux and high-performance computing platforms.
• Driven, creative, and collaborative with strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in fiber optic sensing tools and data processing.
• Experience applying machine learning to geophysical data.
• Knowledge of AI approaches to computer vision.
• Experience in software engineering and Agile development.
• Active TS security clearance or ability to obtain one.

About ARA

Founded in 1979, Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering firm. With over 2,000 employees across the U.S. and Canada, we provide our clients with leading-edge technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, among other areas. Our culture fosters innovation, creativity, and ownership, making ARA a unique place to advance your career.

Explore more about ARA by visiting our .

Company: ARA
Job Title: Geophysics Research Scientist