Geodesy/Earth System Science Postdoc Opportunity at JPL

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is seeking a candidate for the NASA Postdoctoral Program focused on Earth science research. The successful candidate will utilize geodetic tools to improve understanding of ice melt and sea level change, collaborating closely with scientists at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Applicants should hold a recent PhD in a relevant field and possess strong skills in scientific computing. This unique fellowship offers a chance to contribute to NASA's research on climate variations, emphasizing innovation and creativity.

Qualifications

• Strong background in scientific computing including Matlab and Python.
• Experience with estimation theory and handling large data sets.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Use geodetic tools to improve understanding of mass transport processes.
• Collaborate with scientists on climate variation projects.
• Create new data products to enhance scientific understanding.

Skills

Scientific computing (Matlab, Python)

C++

FORTRAN

Estimation theory

Remote sensing principles

Education

PhD in Earth systems science, geodesy, engineering, or related field

Job description

Overview

Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code: 0175-NPP-NOV26-JPL-EarthSci

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

How To Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org).

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

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

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.

Description: The successful candidate will use geodetic tools and observations such as time-variable gravity (e.g. GRACE and GRACE-FO), GPS, and satellite radar and laser altimetry in combination with geophysical models to improve understanding of mass transport (e.g., ice and glacier melt, sea level change, etc.) processes within the Earth system. The candidate will maximize scientific understanding through the creation of new data products (implementing novel data processing schemes), joint inversion/combination of multiple geodetic data types, and scientific analyses of the resulting products. Mass transport is an essential climate variable, providing a quantitative measure of ocean mass changes, ice mass changes, and terrestrial hydrology changes due to both anthropogenic and natural forcing. Ultimately, the results of this work will enable improved understanding of how the Earth responds to climate variations, aiding in improved projections of future changes. The candidate will collaborate closely with a diverse group of scientists across JPL, especially in the Sea Level and Ice, Terrestrial Hydrology, and Earth Surface and Interior Groups. There is significant opportunity for the candidate to use creativity and innovation to self-guide and lead the research efforts under the guiding principles of the project.

Qualifications: Candidates should have a recent PhD in Earth systems science, geodesy, engineering, or related field. All candidates should have a strong background in scientific computing (Matlab, Python, or equivalent; C++ and/or FORTRAN also preferable), experience with estimation theory, remote sensing principles and/or geodetic data and handling large data sets. Demonstrated proficiency in written and spoken English is also required.

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

Felix Landerer
[e-mail]
818-354-2242

Eligibility

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; and,
• 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

Please email [e-mail]

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.