Observing sub-annual mechanics of Antarctic ice streams using short repeat time InSAR

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA in Pasadena, California invites applications for the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center or affiliated institute. The selected postdoctoral scholar will work with JPL researchers and Caltech to advance geodetic and glaciology science through 3‑D displacement field analysis and modeling.

Applicants should have a recent PhD with expertise in interferometric SAR data analysis, remote sensing, and scientific computing.

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field.
• Strong background in scientific computing (Matlab, Python or equivalent).
• Knowledge of glaciological principles is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Improve retrieval of 3‑D displacement fields from InSAR data.
• Develop methods to synthesize displacement fields from multiple sensor platforms.
• Connect tidal perturbations of displacement rates to the mechanical characteristics of ice streams and ice shelves.

Skills

Interferometric SAR (InSAR)

Scientific computing

Remote sensing principles

Glaciology knowledge

Education

PhD in a related field

Tools

Python

Matlab

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0140-NPP-NOV26-JPL-EarthSci

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect.

Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements.

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

Application Deadline

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

Program 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. 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.

Research Focus

Recent results using temporally dense SAR acquisitions from the Cosmo‑SkyMed (CSK) constellation have demonstrated the ability to capture the three‑component surface velocity response of ice streams and ice shelves to forcing from ocean tides. Systematic mapping of this response has the potential to illuminate the basic mechanical characteristics of the streaming ice, the bed‑ice interface, and the floating ice. The ice streams/shelves of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Filcher‑Ronne system are ideal candidates for such a study given the very large tidal forcing active in these regions. We seek a postdoctoral scholar who will work to combine dense CSK observations (InSAR and speckle tracking) with other available geodetic imaging data to develop comprehensive time series of deformation and to integrate these observations with mechanical models of ice streams and ice shelves. This activity requires a strong interest in furthering both geodetic and glaciology science.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a recent PhD in single processing with preference given to candidates specializing in the analysis of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture data. Knowledge of glaciological principles is highly desired. All candidates should have a strong background in scientific computing (Matlab, Python or equivalent) and remote sensing principles.

The selected candidate will work collaboratively with JPL researchers and Caltech faculty to improve the retrieval of 3‑D displacement fields from Cosmo‑SkyMed InSAR data, develop methods to synthesize displacement fields from multiple sensor platforms, and to connect tidal perturbations of displacement rates to the mechanical characteristics of ice streams and ice shelves. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of one‑year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years.

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

Alex Gardner

[e-mail]

818‑354‑3477

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.

• 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

Contact

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

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

Degree: Doctoral Degree.