Big data remote sensing of glaciers and ice sheets

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU seeks highly-skilled scientists for the NASA Postdoctoral Program focusing on glacier dynamics and climate change research. Successful candidates will employ various satellite data to analyze ice-sheet evolution, track surface motion in West Antarctica, and utilize machine-learning tools. Applicants should hold a PhD in a related field and have experience with remote sensing and programming. This opportunity offers a competitive fellowship to advance research in space science and Earth science.

Qualifications

• Strong background in remote sensing and programming.
• Experience with machine‑learning techniques and data extraction/analysis.
• Interest in glaciology, physics, and climate change.

Responsibilities

• Employ a suite of satellite data to build time series of ice‑sheet dynamics.
• Track grounding lines and surface motion in Antarctica.
• Integrate machine‑learning tools to synthesize glacier and ice‑sheet evolution.

Skills

Remote sensing

Synthetic aperture radar

Programming

Machine-learning techniques

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Earth Science, or Physics

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talent 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 designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Research Responsibilities

In this research you will employ a suite of satellite data ranging from SAR platforms (ASI Cosmo‑Skymed, ESA Sentinel‑1, CSA RADARSAT‑2, DLR Tandem‑X, NASA/ISRO NISAR) to optical platforms (USGS Landsat‑8, World View, ESA Sentinel‑2, NASA MODIS). You will build time series of ice‑sheet dynamics, track grounding lines and surface motion, analyze surface backscatter for ice fracturing, and integrate machine‑learning tools to synthesize glacier and ice‑sheet evolution. The focus will be on the Amundsen Sea sector of West Antarctica, a region experiencing rapid glacier changes that contribute to sea‑level rise.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Earth Science, or Physics.
• Strong background in remote sensing, synthetic aperture radar, and programming.
• Experience with machine‑learning techniques and data extraction/analysis.
• Interest in glaciology, physics, and climate change.

Eligibility Requirements

• 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 a valid EAD card and I‑485 or I‑589 forms pending.

Applications from citizens of designated countries are not accepted unless they are legal permanent residents of the U.S.

Advisors

• Prof. Eric Rignot (uci.edu)
• Dr. Eric Larour (jpl.nasa.gov)

Application Deadline

November 1, 2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Contact

Point of Contact: Mikeala (email: [e-mail])