Postdoc: Microwave Remote Sensing and Radar Instrumentation for Atmospheric Observations

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Retirement plans

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a postdoctoral scholar to conduct independent research in microwave remote sensing, radar instrumentation, and atmospheric science. The appointee will develop and evaluate novel microwave radar retrieval techniques, contribute to hardware deployment aboard NASA aircraft, and publish results in open literature in collaboration with a JPL advisor.

Applicants should have a PhD in a related field and strong programming and communication

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Physics, Remote Sensing, Applied Physics, or related field.
• Research experience in microwave/RF systems, radar remote sensing, or scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation and measurements (RF test equipment, data acquisition).
• Strong programming in Python or MATLAB for scientific computing.
• Knowledge of signal processing techniques (statistics, filtering, retrieval algorithms).
• Strong record of peer‑reviewed publications and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Carry out independent research in microwave radar and remote sensing.
• Collaborate with JPL advisor to publish results in open literature.
• Contribute to design, testing, and deployment of radar instrumentation.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Radar remote sensing

RF systems

Data analysis

Scientific instrumentation

Publications

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Atmospheric Science

Tools

RF test equipment

Vector network analyzers

Data acquisition systems

Electronic instrumentation

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.

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 scienceandengineering organizationsandon Caltech’s academic campus often work together. Learning to speakandunderstand 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 scienceandtechnology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposalsand hardware,andin communicating funded missions’ results to the scientific communityandthe broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientistsandengineers who are passionate about lifelong learningandexcited to both contribute toandlead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundariesandcreating 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,andsocial connections across the JPLandCaltech community for advice on housing, childcare,andother 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 collaboration withJPL advisor,resulting in publications in the open literature.

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA. Postdoc positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$83,820 - $83,820

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.