Improving our understanding of GHGs through observations and analysis

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A research organization is seeking candidates for the NASA Postdoctoral Program, focusing on climate science and trace gas observations. This one- to three-year fellowship welcomes U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, requiring a doctoral degree and experience in remote sensing data analysis. Key responsibilities include collecting observations, validating satellite data, and improving emissions understanding. This role offers a unique chance to contribute to NASA’s missions in atmospheric research.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree is required.
• Experience with acquiring/analyzing remote sensing data.
• Proficient in data analysis software like MATLAB or Python.

Responsibilities

• Collect observations of climate‑forcing trace gases.
• Validate satellite data products and evaluate emission sources.
• Improve understanding of atmosphere-biosphere interactions.

Skills

Data analysis software (MATLAB, Python, IGOR, IDL)

Remote sensing data acquisition

Oral and written communication

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

Position Overview

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. This one- to three-year fellowship is designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. The Atmospheric Composition focus area of the NASA Earth Science Division aims to better understand the processes that affect air quality, weather, and climate. The research project focuses on collecting observations of climate‑forcing trace gases and their co‑emitted species (e.g., NO2, CO).

Research Focus and Responsibilities

• Collect observations of climate‑forcing trace gases and their co‑emitted species using ground‑based remote sensing and aircraft in situ measurements.
• Complement current and future satellite observations (OCO-2, OCO-3, GOSAT-2, GHGSat, CO2M, TEMPO, GeoXO) as well as flux tower and ground‑based in situ networks to improve our understanding of emissions sources and atmosphere-biosphere interactions.
• Potential research topics: validation of total column satellite data products; validation of inverse modeling inventories; evaluation of urban fluxes and emission sources; evaluation of natural system fluxes; improving instrumentation and observational strategies.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree.
• Experience with acquiring and/or analyzing data from remote sensing (satellite or ground‑based) or in situ (airborne or ground‑based) instrumentation.
• Expertise in data analysis software such as MATLAB, Python, IGOR, IDL, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to disseminate research findings through oral and written communication.

Eligibility

• Open to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, foreign nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status, and applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. 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.

Restrictions

This opportunity is closed to applicants who are Senior Fellows (five years or more past Ph.D.).