Optical Remote Sensing Observation of Aerosol and Clouds from Ground-based, Airborne, and Space[...]

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is offering a research opportunity through the NASA Postdoctoral Program. This position focuses on understanding how atmospheric constituents like aerosols, clouds, and gases impact the Earth’s atmosphere and climate change. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in Earth Sciences and possess strong programming and analytical skills, with a plus for machine learning experience.

Candidates will have the chance to engage with various satellite and airborne measurements and contribute to important research impacting NASA’s missions.

Qualifications

• Preferred educational background is a completed PhD in Earth Sciences.
• Skills in programming, independent analysis, writing, organizational and people skills are favorable.
• Experience with machine learning is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing NASA research projects focusing on atmospheric constituents.
• Study the effects of aerosol and cloud variability on climate change.
• Combine different space-based sensors for profiling of the Earth’s boundary layer.

Skills

Programming

Independent analysis

Writing

Organizational skills

People skills

Machine learning

Education

PhD in Earth Sciences

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0292-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-EarthSci

Application Deadline

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

Description

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP). The 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.

This opportunity is closed to applicants who are Senior Fellows (5‑years or more past PhD). This research topic focuses on better understanding how atmospheric constituents such as aerosols, clouds, and trace gases affect the Earth’s atmospheric composition, radiation balance, and climate change. Specific topics include: (1) studying the effects of aerosol and cloud variability on satellite‑derived all‑sky direct aerosol radiative effects, (2) combining different space‑based sensors to perform profiling of the Earth’s planetary boundary layer, (3) characterizing gas, chemical and optical characteristics of different aerosol types to improve model predictions. The investigations can be based on recent (e.g., CALIOP/CALIPSO), current (e.g., MODIS/AQUA) or upcoming (e.g., EarthCARE) satellite measurements, airborne measurements from field campaigns (e.g., NASA CAMP2EX, ARCSIX) or surface observations. Research involving machine‑learning techniques will be strongly encouraged.

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

• Meloe Kacenelenbogen
  Email: [e-mail]
  Phone: [phone]
• Kerry Meyer
  Email: [e-mail]
  Phone: [phone]

Contact

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

Qualifications

Preferred educational background is a completed PhD in Earth Sciences, specifically in the Earth's atmosphere (e.g., aerosol, cloud, precipitation, boundary layer thermodynamics, trace gases).

Programming, independent analysis, writing, organizational and people skills are all considered favorable.

Machine learning experience would be a plus.

Eligibility Requirements

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

Point of Contact

Mikeala