SCU is always looking to connect people with projects. The following is a list of our ongoing projects that seek volunteers. Email us at Projects@ExploreSCU.org to find out how to get involved. These are all volunteer (non-paid) positions.

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Data Specialist (Volunteer Based Project)

 

TLDR;

We got specific for what we’re looking for but yes, it’s all volunteer! 
We meet every other week but we’re happy to work with what you can accommodate. 
Please ensure you have an updated LinkedIn that you include when reaching out about this post.

 

Overview:
We are looking for a skilled Data Specialist to assist with a one-time project to transform our dataset (currently in a spreadsheet with text, dates, coordinates, etc.) into a well-organized and queryable database. This role requires expertise in working with geographic data, including the ability to plot coordinates on a map, as well as a strong understanding of oceanographic data (e.g., ocean depths, topography, sonar, radar) to support underwater/ocean-related analysis.

 

In addition to setting up the database, you’ll help develop processes to handle future datasets with varying fields and assist with generating preliminary reports and visualizations. Our team is available to assist with data cleanup and other tasks as needed.

 

Responsibilities

1. Initial Dataset Transition:

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• Organize and move our existing dataset into a queryable database (e.g., SQL, NoSQL).

• Perform data cleanup to ensure accuracy and consistency during the transition.

• Plot geographic data (coordinates) on a map and incorporate oceanographic data into the database structure.

• Develop processes or tools (e.g., formulas, AI-driven automation) to streamline future data imports and cleanups for datasets with varying fields.

• Document workflows so we can independently manage future datasets if needed.

 

2. Preliminary Reporting and Insights:

 

• Generate initial reports and visualizations, including geographic and oceanographic analyses.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand reporting needs and tailor outputs accordingly.

 

3. Ad-Hoc Support:

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• Provide occasional assistance with additional datasets, reports, or data-related questions.

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Qualifications

• Expertise in database design and management (e.g., SQL, NoSQL, or similar platforms).

• Strong proficiency in data cleanup, transformation, and standardization techniques.

• Proven experience working with geographic data, including plotting coordinates on maps.

• Familiarity with oceanographic data, such as ocean depths, topography, sonar, and radar (preferred).

• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Python, or Excel).

• Knowledge of tools and methods for automating repetitive data tasks.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to document processes clearly.

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Preferred Skills

• Experience handling diverse data types, including geospatial and oceanographic data.

• Background in designing scalable data workflows or pipelines.

• Knowledge of natural language processing (NLP) or machine learning to analyze text data is a bonus.

What We’re Looking For:

This is ideally a one-time project with the potential for ongoing ad-hoc work. We’re seeking someone who can efficiently structure our data, create reusable processes, and provide clear documentation to empower our team for future tasks.

Our team is available to assist in any way, whether that’s helping with data cleanup or collaborating to ensure the project’s success. If you have a knack for solving complex data challenges and delivering actionable insights, especially with geographic and oceanographic datasets, we’d love to hear from you!

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SCU Social Media Manager

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SCU seeks a volunteer to help lead and manage our social media accounts on Facebook, X, Reddit, and YouTube. SCU’s social media channels reach more than 40k users interested in the scientific study of UAP.

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• Help shape our online content and impact.

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If you have experience in this area and are interested in contributing to SCU, please send an email to: Press@explorescu.org

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Scientific data programming needed for several projects

We have a number of projects requiring the help of scientific programmers. Applicants should be experienced in fundamental programming language and computer science concepts. Previous work in computational problem solving in science and engineering related fields involving use of simulation, data analysis and visualization would be well regarded.

We envisage work in areas requiring understanding in commonly used algorithms and data structures. This work will include;

• Data abstraction with application to UAP data of varying sorts

• Coding of novel radar sensing algorithms

• Modeling of UAP physical techno-signatures

• Familiarity with scientific and mathematical programming languages such as Matlab, IDL, Maple, Mathcad, etc. will be a plus as well.

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USO characterization project:

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Unidentified Submersible Objects (USOs) are a subset of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena

(UAP) that are observed or measured traveling underwater or in a trans-medium fashion through

an air and water interface. Reports of this class of anomalous craft generally have an advantage

over UAP cases in that the most common types of false-positive UAP sightings like stars or

commercial aircraft are not widely present in USO datasets. This potentially opens a path to

improved verification and validation of case entries along with improved signal to noise in the

collection of reports. The USO characterization project is looking for applicants with interest in

compiling existing case reports on public, commercial, and government USO observations into a

database and then developing scoring techniques and analysis tools in order to better understand

and create scientifically testable hypotheses on this unique subset of anomalous reports. The

USO characterization project is looking for applicants with interest and/or experience with one

or more the following skills:

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• Database creation and analysis; Automatic Content Analysis (ACA)

• Verification and validation approaches for observational reporting methods

• Investigative researchers familiar with USO reports and case literature

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning methods for database analysis

• Quality scoring methods for sorting reports

• Familiarity with spatial-temporal statistical analysis techniques or GIS

• Python and Microsoft Excel familiarity helpful

• Familiarity with science or technical writing

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CFD modeling of UAP project:

 

Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP) are reported to travel through the surrounding

medium without any visible or diagnosed creation of a shock wave interaction. This absence of

shockwave is noted particularly in atmospheric UAP. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

modeling of UAP project is looking for qualified applicants to apply open source and/or

commercial CFD codes to the problem of modeling the interaction of hypothetical UAP and

USO propulsion methods with the surrounding media. Additionally, the project seeks to explain

claimed observations of how shock wave formation can be mitigated or completely avoided with

USO and UAP even while observed to be apparently traveling at high Mach numbers in

atmosphere. The CFD modeling of UAP project is looking for applicants with interest and/or

experience in one of the following skills:

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• Computational physics, mechanical engineering, or aeronautical engineering

• Numerical approaches to computational fluid dynamics

• Shock capturing methods and/or numerical approaches for Navier-Stokes simulation

• Experience with CFD codes such as OpenFOAM and similar finite volume approaches

• Analytic approaches to drag, viscosity, and shock-wave formation in gas and fluid systems

• Familiarity with science or technical writing

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MHD drive UAP propulsion modeling project:

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The Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) approach to aerospace propulsion provides an alternative

hypothesis to other proposed Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP) propulsion methods

such as hypothetical gravity drive/warp drive propulsion approaches and could potentially

explain anomalous UAP measurements and observations. MHD drives utilize the Lorentz force

to push air, water, or other media around the craft in a controlled fashion and could potentially

explain reported UAP observations of what appears to be high Mach number flight but without

any shock wave formation or significant heating of the media surround the UAP. Shock

capturing numerical methods applied to these plasma-based propulsion techniques could recreate

UAP observations and measurements when compared to synthetic diagnostics of reported UAP

observations. This project is looking for applicants with interest and/or experience in one of the

following skills:

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• Physics, electrical engineering, and/or aerospace degree with a strong understanding of fluid plasma systems

• Numerical approaches to fluid plasma approximations in water and atmosphere

• Familiarity with high mach number flows in atmosphere and/or water with a strong background in fluid dynamics

• Experience with existing open source or commercial plasma simulation codes

• Familiarity with science or technical writing

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Gravitational drive UAP propulsion modeling project:

 

The theory of general relativity has been shown by Alcubierre and others to support solutions

that may potentially describe gravity propulsion methods or so-called warp drives. This project

seeks to analytically and numerically model such gravity drives and apply the models to claimed

Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP) observational reports and data. The propulsion

through the manipulation of spacetime could potentially explain UAP observations such as lack

of observed exhaust propellent or other such thermal emissions in craft while performing

claimed accelerations up to 1000’s of times the Earth’s gravity while traveling through

atmosphere. This project will also study the possible signatures of space-time engineering as a

propulsion method and use existing numerical approaches to model aspects of gravity drives in

order to develop diagnostic methods to search for such craft and their emissions with a particular

focus on emitted radiation. This project is looking for applicants with interest and/or experience

in one of the following skills:

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• Physics, electrical Engineering, and/or aerospace degree with a strong understanding of theory of general relativity

• Numerical approaches to general relativity and/or experience with existing general relativity simulation codes

• Familiarity with existing general relativity literature on speculative gravitational/warp drive propulsion systems

• Familiarity with science or technical writing

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Radar detection of UAP signatures project:

 

Radar methods have been claimed to identify and track Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena

(UAP) since their inception and existing radar data sets on UAP potentially show anomalous

behaviors such as extreme accelerations and turns beyond what is thought possible with even

next generation aerospace platforms. This project seeks to numerically model and apply radar

methods to the search and diagnosis of UAP and in particular make inferences on the kinematics

of such craft in order to test for the idea of anomalous behavior as compared to known or

hypothesized future propulsion technologies. The many existing approaches to radar systems will

be explored in their application to the UAP diagnosis problem along with the development of

simulation techniques to develop radar diagnostics that differentiate between hypothesized UAP

propulsion methods such as gravity/warp drives and plasma MHD drives. By studying how

different radar approaches interact with different hypothesized UAP propulsion methods,

potential diagnostic approaches can be tested numerically in order to discover which approaches

might provide the best inferences on the kinematics and other desired UAP systems properties.

This project is looking for applicants with interest and/or experience in one of the following

skills:

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• Physics, electrical engineering, and/or math degree with a strong understanding of radar systems

• Numerical approaches to simulating radar systems and/or experience with existing electromagnetic simulation software

• Expertise with radar systems and familiarity with hypothesized UAP propulsion methods

• Familiarity with science or technical writing

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