Postdoc: Satellite-based urban CO2 and air pollutant emissions

California Institute Of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; Presencial; USD 75.000 - 92.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plan

Wellbeing programs

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Rideshare benefits

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Descripción de la vacante

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to investigate urban fossil fuel CO₂ and air pollutant emissions using satellite observations, inventories, and data assimilation. You will analyze urban emission patterns worldwide and apply the MEKC framework to study development and mitigation effects.

The role requires a PhD in a relevant field, Python proficiency, strong communication, and proven collaboration and publication experience.

Formación

• PhD in Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, Geophysics, Environmental Sciences, or a related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of atmospheric composition and related fields.
• Experience with python and similar languages.
• Excellent oral (including public speaking) and written communication skills.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Peer-reviewed publications related to atmospheric composition modelling and/or their utilization for Earth system science research.

Responsabilidades

• Analyze urban emission distributions and trends using satellite observations and emission inventories.
• Apply the MEKC framework to relate emission changes with economic development and mitigation efforts.
• Develop reproducible analysis methods and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and publish results.

Conocimientos

Python programming

Public speaking

Teamwork

Atmospheric science knowledge

Educación

PhD in Atmospheric Sciences or related discipline

Descripción del empleo

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.

The postdoctoral researcher will investigate urban fossil fuel CO₂ and air pollutant emissions using satellite observations, emission inventories, and data assimilation. The research will characterize spatial and temporal emission patterns across major cities worldwide, from city to sub-city scales, and examine their relationships with urban development, emission sources, and mitigation strategies. The researcher will combine satellite-based CO₂ emission estimates from OCO-2/3 with air pollutant emission estimates informed by observations from TEMPO, GEMS, and TROPOMI, leveraging JPL’s MOMO-Chem and CMS-Flux systems.

Key activities include analyzing urban emission distributions, trends, comparing satellite-based estimates with multiple emission inventories; and applying the modified environmental Kuznets curve (MEKC) framework to examine emission changes in relation to economic development and mitigation efforts. The research will advance understanding of urban emission processes, inform improvements to emission inventories, and support the assessment of climate and air quality mitigation strategies.

The researcher is expected to develop reproducible analysis methods, collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams, and publish findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature. Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA.

Candidate Qualifications:

• PhD in Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, Geophysics, Environmental Sciences, or a related technical discipline
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of atmospheric composition and related fields
• Experience with python and similar languages
• Excellent oral (including public speaking) and written communication skills
• Experience working in a team environment
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Peer-reviewed publications related to atmospheric composition modelling and/or their utilization for Earth system science research

Postdoctoral Scholar 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. Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.