Characterization of ionospheric dynamics through application of machine learning techniques to [...]

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is offering a prestigious opportunity through the NASA Postdoctoral Program for research in ionospheric dynamics at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Candidates will engage in advanced studies on the Earth's upper atmosphere and analyze GPS measurement data to enhance our understanding of space weather. A Doctoral Degree is required, and candidates should possess knowledge of signal processing techniques. This position provides a competitive fellowship within NASA's ongoing missions.

Qualifications

• Highly motivated candidates with experience in data analysis and research.
• Candidates should analyze satellite and ground-based observations.

Responsibilities

• Engage in NASA research projects with ongoing missions.
• Analyze Total Electron Content dynamics related to space weather.

Skills

Knowledge of basic signal processing techniques

System science approaches

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0202-NPP-NOV26-JPL-HelioSci

Application Deadline

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

Description

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.

The Earth's upper atmosphere and ionosphere respond dynamically to geomagnetic storms and driving from the Sun. Ionosphere demonstrates local response to a geomagnetic storm superimposed on daily, seasonal and solar cycle dependent variabilities. These different phenomena make characterization of regional ionospheric dynamics a complex problem. New observational capabilities and sophisticated data analysis tools provide an opportunity to improve our understanding of ionosphere dynamics during storms relative to quiet times. Specifically, the Total Electron Content (TEC) of the ionosphere is readily available from GPS measurements. Analysis of TEC dynamics over ground-based GPS sites using network analysis is of major interest. Characterizing network topology, connections between TEC measurements at different locations, directionality of the network can lead to better understanding of ionospheric dynamics and advances in space weather forecasting. We seek highly motivated candidates to participate in research on ionospheric dynamics and data analysis. We are particularly interested in candidates who will analyze satellite and ground-based observations to improve our understanding of space weather. Knowledge of basic signal processing techniques and system science approaches are encouraged.

References

• Verkhoglyadova, O. P., Komjathy, A., Mannucci, A. J., Mlynczak, M., Hunt, L. & Paxton, L.J. (2017). Revisiting Ionosphere-Thermosphere Responses to Solar Wind Driving in Superstorms of November 2003 and 2004. J. Geophys. Res., 122. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JA024542.
• McGranaghan, R. M., A. J. Mannucci, O. Verkhoglyadova, and N. Malik (2017), Finding multiscale connectivity in our geospace observational system: Network analysis of total electron content, J. Geophys. Res., 122, doi:10.1002/2017JA024202.
• J. Dods, S. C. Chapman, and J. W. Gjerloev, Network Analysis of Geomagnetic Substorms Using the SuperMAG Database of Ground Based Magnetometer Stations, JGR, 120, doi:10.1002/2015JA021456 (2015).

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Heliophysics Science

Advisors

Olga Verkhoglyadova

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Doctoral Degree