Research and Development on Atmospheric Aerosols Datasets in support of AERONET program

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal research organization located in Maryland seeks highly-talented scientists for a Postdoctoral Program. Candidates should have a doctoral degree in a relevant science and advanced programming skills, particularly with big data tools like Python. The role involves research with AERONET measurements and development of cloud algorithms. The position is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and eligible foreign nationals with specific visa statuses.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in relevant science field.
• Advanced programming skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform research using AERONET measurements.
• Develop cloud-mask algorithms.
• Evaluate and compare AERONET products.

Skills

Advanced programming skills with big data (e.g., Python, C)

Education

Doctoral degree in Earth or Atmospheric sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Meteorology

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0268-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-EarthSci

Description

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (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). The AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) program is a federation of ground‑based remote sensing aerosol networks established by NASA and PHOTONS (PHOtométrie pour le Traitement Opérationnel de Normalisation Satellitaire; Univ. of Lille 1, CNES, and CNRS-INSU) and is greatly expanded by networks such as RIMA, AeroSpan, AEROCAN, NEON, and CARSNET and collaborators. It has provided long‑term, continuous, and readily accessible public domain database of aerosol optical, microphysical and radiative properties for aerosol research, validation of satellite retrievals, and synergism with other databases.

The role includes performing research using AERONET measurements, developing cloud‑mask algorithms, evaluating and comparing AERONET products with other ground measurements, standardizing data formats, and developing new data applications. Use of modern technologies such as machine and deep learning methods, data fusion approaches, and cloud computing is highly encouraged.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Earth or Atmospheric sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Meteorology.
• Advanced programming skills with big data (e.g., Python, C, etc.).

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

Pawan Gupta
[e-mail]
(256) 468‑7651

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. Citizens
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa status
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with a valid EAD card and I‑485 or I‑589 forms pending

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States.