Advanced Aerosol Data Assimilation of the GEO-LEO Constellation

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A distinguished research organization is seeking highly-talented scientists for the NASA Postdoctoral Program. This opportunity allows individuals to engage in significant research projects that advance space science and Earth science. Applicants should hold a Doctoral Degree and demonstrate expertise in machine learning and atmospheric data assimilation. This competitive program offers one- to three-year fellowships at NASA centers, focusing on improving aerosol representation in Earth models.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in machine learning methodologies related to atmospheric sciences.
• Familiarity with aerosol data processing and assimilation techniques.
• Strong analytical skills with exposure to Python or similar programming languages.

Responsibilities

• Implement machine learning methods for homogenizing AOD observations.
• Integrate UV AOD observations into the aerosol analysis.
• Develop models for retrieving aerosol information under varied conditions.

Skills

Machine learning

Atmospheric data assimilation

Aerosol analysis

Data assimilation

Atmospheric science

Education

Doctoral Degree

Tools

JEDI framework

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0311-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-EarthSci

How To Apply

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

This opportunity is closed to applicants who are Senior Fellows (5-years or more past PhD).

The Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), developed by NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), is a comprehensive Earth system model and data assimilation system. The GMAO assimilates aerosol optical depth (AOD) observations from space-borne (e.g. MODIS, VIIRS) and ground-based (AERONET) instruments into the GEOS model for its near-real-time aerosol forecast known as the GEOS Forward Processing (GEOS-FP) system as well as in its various reanalysis systems (e.g. Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2)). Recent advances in the GEOS aerosol data assimilation capability allow for the assimilation of multi-spectral passive and active aerosol measurements. This improvement enables a more comprehensive and advanced analysis of atmospheric aerosols.

This project will focus on the integration of multi-wavelength AOD observations, ranging from the UV to visible to constrain the representation of aerosols in the NASA GEOS Earth System Model.

Activities that would be involved in this project include (but are not limited to):

• Implement machine learning transfer learning methods to homogenize AOD observations from the geostationary constellation of weather and atmospheric monitoring satellites (e.g. GEOS, HIMAWARI) utilizing well calibrated AOD observations from low earth orbit (LEO) sensors
• Integrate and test the impact of UV AOD observations from hyperspectral sensors in LEO and GEO orbits on the aerosol analysis and forecast utilizing the JCSDA-Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration (JEDI) framework for atmospheric data assimilation
• Develop machine learning foundation models based on simulated observations from high fidelity atmospheric simulations for developing downstream tasks such as retrieving aerosol information in the presence of clouds, and utilizing multi-pixel spatial and temporal approaches

Field of Science: Earth Science

Advisors

Patricia Castellanos
[e-mail]
[phone]

Arlindo da Silva
[e-mail]
[phone]

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status;
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

Questions about this opportunity? Please email [e-mail]

Point of Contact
Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.