Postdoctoral Researcher, Space Physics & Auroral Dynamics

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at University of California, Berkeley seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar specializing in auroral and subauroral optical phenomena to work with Dr. L Claire Gasque and Dr. Brian Harding.

The role blends ground-based observations, satellite data, and numerical modeling to study magnetosphere–ionosphere–thermosphere coupling. Responsibilities include analyzing auroral data, developing identification methods, and contributing to publications and public data products.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program.
• No more than 3-years post PhD research experience.

Responsibilities

• Analyze ground-based optical observations from auroral imagers and spectrographs.
• Develop and apply methods to identify and characterize auroral phenomena.
• Construct and analyze event catalogs and identify conjunctions between ground-based and satellite observations.
• Analyze satellite measurements from missions such as Swarm and DMSP to characterize background plasma conditions, currents, and precipitation.
• Develop models of ionosphere-thermosphere coupling and compare with observations.
• Develop, document, and share scientific software and reproducible analysis tools.

Skills

Python programming

Data analysis

Collaborative research

Scientific writing

Education

PhD or enrolled in PhD program

Job description

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at University of California, Berkeley seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar specializing in auroral and subauroral optical phenomena to work with Dr. L Claire Gasque and Dr. Brian Harding.

The role blends ground-based observations, satellite data, and numerical modeling to study magnetosphere–ionosphere–thermosphere coupling. Responsibilities include analyzing auroral data, developing identification methods, and contributing to publications and public data products.