Postdoc: Microwave Remote Sensing and Radar Instrumentation for Atmospheric Observations

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to advance microwave radar remote sensing and atmospheric measurements. You will develop novel retrieval techniques, evaluate measurement uncertainties, and contribute to the design and deployment of advanced radar instrumentation aboard research platforms.

The position requires a Ph.D. in a relevant field, hands-on experience with RF test equipment and Python or MATLAB, and a proven record of peer-reviewed

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Physics, Remote Sensing, Applied Physics, or a closely related field.
• Experience with microwave/RF systems, radar remote sensing, or scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with RF test equipment, data acquisition, and electronic instrumentation.
• Strong Python or MATLAB programming skills for scientific computing and data analysis.
• Knowledge of signal processing, statistics, filtering, retrieval algorithms, or uncertainty analysis.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research in microwave remote sensing and radar instrumentation.
• Develop and evaluate microwave radar retrieval techniques and study measurement uncertainties.
• Contribute to design, testing, and deployment of radar instrumentation such as VIPR 170 GHz radar system aboard research platforms.
• Collaborate with JPL teams and publish results in peer-reviewed venues.

Skills

Microwave RF systems

Radar remote sensing

Laboratory instrumentation

Python

MATLAB

Signal processing

Publications

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or closely related field

Tools

Vector network analyzers

Data acquisition systems

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers-literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission-your opportunity is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL.

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers-literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission-your opportunity is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California.

JPL's Submillimeter-Wave Technologies group is searching for a postdoctoral scholar to conduct independent research in microwave remote sensing, radar instrumentation, and atmospheric science in support of the NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey Incubator project. This research aims to advance next-generation radar technologies for observing Earth's planetary boundary layer and improving atmospheric water vapor and cloud measurements.

The selected postdoc will develop and evaluate novel microwave radar retrieval techniques, investigate sources of systematic measurement error, and contribute to the design, testing, and deployment of advanced radar instrumentation. Research activities may include implementing Doppler radar capabilities to characterize clouds and precipitation, improving water vapor profiling algorithms using advanced statistical approaches, analyzing hardware-induced measurement uncertainties, evaluating high-frequency microwave switch performance, and supporting deployment of JPL's Vapor Inside-cloud Profiling Radar (VIPR) 170 GHz radar system aboard a NASA aircraft. See https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/site/research/kbcooper/ for JPL publications on this topic.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Physics, Remote Sensing, Applied Physics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated research experience in microwave or RF systems, radar remote sensing, or scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation and measurements, including RF test equipment (e.g., vector network analyzers), data acquisition systems, and electronic instrumentation.
• Strong programming skills in Python or MATLAB for scientific computing and data analysis.
• Knowledge of signal processing techniques, including statistical analysis, filtering, retrieval algorithms, or uncertainty analysis.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The appointee will carry out research in