Satellite remote sensing of clouds and atmospheric thermodynamics for weather and climate appli[...]

ORAU; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization is offering a unique opportunity through the NASA Postdoctoral Program in Hampton, Virginia. The program aims to engage highly talented scientists in NASA's ongoing research efforts in Earth science. Candidates will be involved in developing cloud retrieval algorithms and validating satellite data to enhance understanding of climate change. Applicants should have a Doctoral Degree and a strong background in remote sensing. Fellowships range from one to three years, aimed at advancing critical NASA missions.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a solid background in remote sensing and physical climatology.
• Interest in the CERES Cloud Working Group and SatCORPS team is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine cloud retrieval algorithms.
• Validate cloud properties with numerous datasets.
• Support satellite field campaigns.
• Conduct applied research on clouds' role in climate.

Skills

Remote sensing

Radiative transfer

Physical climatology

Machine learning techniques

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0030-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

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program:

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.

Opportunity details:

The CERES Cloud Working Group and LaRC Satellite ClOud and Radiative Property retrieval System (SatCORPS) team at NASA Langley work synergistically to produce global datasets of cloud properties and radiation parameters derived from passive visible and infrared sensors on sun-synchronous (e.g. Aqua, Terra, Suomi-NPP, and NOAA-series) and geostationary (e.g. GOES, Meteosat and Himawari) satellites. These retrievals are key datasets for monitoring cloud systems at different spatiotemporal scales and are essential for quantifying and monitoring the Earth’s energy budget, and for determining cloud radiative effects and weather impacts. Unique algorithms have been developed for operational satellite applications to determine aviation weather parameters and hazards, including flight icing threat to aircraft. Empirical methods and machine learning techniques have been applied to improve cloud retrievals in difficult conditions and to refine nighttime cloud products.

Tasks of the cloud remote sensing group include:

• Development and refinement of cloud retrieval algorithms.
• Validation of cloud properties by combining numerous datasets and theoretical observations.
• Satellite support for field campaigns (e.g. ORACLES, NAAMES, ACTIVATE).
• Applied research on the role of clouds in climate.
• Studies to demonstrate the utility of satellite retrievals in weather forecasting tools.

Opportunities exist for studies that:

• Use radiative transfer simulations for interpreting viewing and solar geometry effects on cloud retrievals.
• Develop algorithms and validation studies combining satellite retrievals from multiple platforms (e.g. CloudSat, CALIPSO, microwave sensors) and aircraft data.
• Relate aerosol variability to cloud microphysical and radiative changes (aerosol indirect effect and contrail forcing).
• Combine satellite retrievals with observations from recent field campaigns supported by the group.
• Propose novel use of machine learning techniques for algorithm development and data analysis of the climate data record.
• Develop new products and applications utilizing hyperspectral infrared remote sensing from current and future operational satellites.

Candidates with a solid background in remote sensing, radiative transfer, and physical climatology, with interests aligned with those of the CERES Cloud Working Group and SatCORPS team are welcome to apply.

Location

Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

• 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; and,
• 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 in pending status.

Eligibility Requirements

• Doctoral Degree.

Contact

Questions About this opportunity? Please email [e-mail].

Point of Contact: Mikeala.