Satellite, Aircraft, and Ground Observed Cloud and Radiative Flux Analyses

ORAU; Hampton (VA); Vor Ort; USD 60.000 - 80.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prestigious research fellowship program is offering unique opportunities for highly talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects in Earth science and remote sensing. Qualified candidates must hold a Doctoral Degree and be U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. The role involves conducting studies on cloud dynamics and analyzing satellite data. The fellowship spans one to three years with potential for significant contributions to NASA’s missions in space science and Earth research.

Qualifikationen

• Eligibility requires a Doctoral Degree.
• U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency is mandatory.
• Foreign Nationals must have appropriate visa status.

Aufgaben

• Engage in NASA research projects at a NASA Center or affiliated institute.
• Conduct studies on cloud measurements and effects on radiative energy balance.
• Analyze satellite and surface measurement data sets.

Ausbildung

Doctoral Degree

Jobbeschreibung

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0006-NPP-NOV26-LRC-EarthSci

How To Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

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.

Basic and applied research is being conducted in remote sensing of the Earth’s cloudiness and radiative fluxes (top of atmosphere, surface, within atmosphere). Clouds are the primary modulators of the radiative energy balance of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere on both local and global scales. Data sets from several satellite instruments, including CERES, ERBE, MODIS, VIIRS, CALIPSO, CloudSat, MISR, GEOS, Landsat, AVHRR, HIRS, SSM/I, will be analyzed and compared. Studies in the long‑term variability of the surface, clouds, and aerosols in relationship to their effects on the radiative budget of the atmosphere and surface are performed. These studies also involve the usage of surface measurement data sets.

In addition, simultaneous aircraft (e.g., SEAC4RS) and/or ground‑based laser‑radar measurements (e.g., ARM) will be used to examine cloud cover, cloud base and top height, optical depth, reflectance, cloud particle size, liquid and ice water path, and emissivity. Comparisons will be made with theoretical predictions of cloud generation/dissipation and with models of cloud radiative properties such as cloud albedo, bidirectional reflectance, and emissivity. Simulation studies will examine the sampling requirements and cloud measurement capabilities of current and future satellite measurement systems. Use of passive and active microwave observations are of special interest in addressing the problems associated with multilayered cloud systems. Studies are also encouraged that analyze cloud data as large ensembles of cloud systems or “cloud objects”: a Lagrangian analog to the more traditional Eulerian monthly averaged gridded climate data. Cloud studies of this sort include attempts to unscramble changes in cloud dynamics from aerosol effects on clouds, i.e. the aerosol indirect effect. Opportunities also exist for the advancement of radiative transfer model algorithms to improve both the physical representation and speed of computations. These algorithms are being used to investigate the radiative impacts of observed changes to trace gas abundances, as well as to changes in the cloud and aerosol properties (e.g., amount and distribution).

Location

Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

• Seiji Kato – [e-mail] – 757‑864‑7062
• Norman Loeb – [e-mail] – 757‑864‑5688
• William L. Smith, Jr. – [e-mail] – 757‑864‑8577
• David Painemal – [e-mail] – 757‑864‑3100

Eligibility

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
• 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 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I‑485 or I‑589 forms in pending status

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree

Questions

Please email [e-mail]

Point of Contact

Mikeala