Result of Service
The IMEO MARS Remote Sensing Scientist consultant will provide accurate and reliable information on methane emissions based on satellite data and support the MARS notification process.
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
The UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) is a data-driven, action-focused initiative that drives deep reductions in methane emissions– the second biggest contributor to global climate change and a key opportunity to reduce warming in the near-term. IMEO’s mission is to provide the open, reliable, and actionable methane data needed to cut emissions at the speed and scale necessary to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. To do this, IMEO is harnessing a methane data revolution under way thanks to rapidly advancing technology and momentum for methane action.
IMEO collects, integrates, and reconciles data from methane-detecting satellites, scientific measurement studies, rigorous industry reporting through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), and national emissions inventories. These initiatives are game-changers for climate action – and as a core implementing partner of the Global Methane Pledge, IMEO is shaping the future of methane mitigation.
A remote sensing scientist is needed to support IMEO in its implementation and improvement of the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), the first system connecting near-real-time satellite detections of methane emissions with notifications to stakeholders on the ground. The scientist would support the MARS team in satellite data processing, analysis, and methane plume quantification and attribution, as well as the improvement of existing methods for plume quantification and, if needed, the development of new satellite-derived methane-related parameters.
The consultant will work closely with remote sensing scientists and data scientists in the IMEO science group. The IMEO MARS Remote Sensing Scientist consultant will collect, filter and analyze satellite data especially high-resolution data, to support the large methane emissions notification process of MARS. The consultant will identify critical areas of large emissions, monitor them, and work with the MARS regional case managers to accurately inform stakeholders, promoting mitigation actions.
The remote sensing scientist will also support MARS' expansion efforts in the integration and use of new satellite data In addition, the consultant will also support the research on the most technical aspects of methane remote sensing methodologies, potential, and limitations, such as the assessment of the detection limit of satellites to detect methane, or revisit frequency metrics. The consultant will report to MARS Programme Manager
Qualifications/special skills
Doctorate or equivalent in chemistry, atmospheric sciences, remote sensing, Earth and natural sciences, or a related field. Minimum 3 years of experience in the satellite remote sensing field Knowledge and research experience in satellite capabilities (potential and limitations) for methane monitoring, knowledge of the main anthropogenic methane emission sources, and experience analysing high-resolution satellite data and satellite image labeling. Knowledge of PostgreSQL, Azure cloud, and Python Ability to work independently and produce high-quality, policy-relevant outputs.
Languages
English is the working language of UNEP's IMEO. Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.
Additional Information
Collect satellite data (request and download) of the areas of interest being studied.
Process the images to obtain methane concentration enhancement maps using the codes developed by the remote sensing scientists.
Analyse the resulting maps for plume identification, including the manual confirmation of detections.
For the detected plumes, analyze the context by consulting other satellite and database information in order to better understand the source and cause of the emission.
Document the analyzed cases and record the identified emitters and emissions for later
integration into the data portal.
Research on methodologies to help understand the limitations of satellite data
Obtain estimates of the Probability of Detection of different satellites under different surface, wind, retrieval noise, and observing conditions.
Obtain effective wind calibrations under different conditions as needed, especially for new sectors.
Process, analyze, and supply data for the controlled release experiments and participate in validation activities to improve MARS data as much as possible.
Analyze emission time series and develop methods to automatically track the emission status of point sources.
Independently support other "rapid response" and/or project development efforts on an as-needed basis.
Produce and support scientific documentation from the work done in MARS and the IMEO’s remote sensing team.