Microwave Remote Sensing and Precipitation Science

About the role

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, Alabama. The program supports scientific investigations that address various aspects of microwave remote sensing and precipitation science.

Responsibilities

• The use of adaptive and agile ground-based weather radar techniques focused on sampling deep convective precipitation—simulated or observed—to use for validation of satellite-based retrievals of convective mass flux and vertical motion.
• Investigation of retrieval capabilities or process studies aligned with AOS convection and precipitation objectives.
• The use of satellite, ground, and/or airborne measurements for physical process studies to gain a better understanding of precipitation, the global water cycle, climate, weather, and concomitant improvements in numerical models from cloud resolving to climate scales.
• The development and/or application of active or passive microwave ocean surface wind retrievals or atmospheric soundings for the study of ocean-atmosphere exchanges and their relationship to the atmospheric boundary layer.
• Validation of satellite-based precipitation retrieval algorithms through the use of innovative physically-based or machine learning approaches.
• The use of remote sensing and modeling to investigate tropical cyclone structure, intensity and evolution.
• Applications of microwave satellite-based measurements, in particular to hydrologic modeling.
• Improving NASA satellite sounding retrieval algorithms or their assimilation with a particular emphasis related to current (e.g., TROPICS) and potential decadal missions (e.g., Planetary Boundary Layer).
• The use of microwave remote sensing SmallSat or CubeSat based observing platforms to improve measurements of precipitation, ocean surface winds, or atmospheric sounding.

Requirements

The prospective applicant should contact Dr. Brent Roberts (jason.b.roberts@nasa.gov) well in advance of developing the proposal to ensure alignment of the idea with opportunity objectives. Please include a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a brief statement of interest that identifies the primary topic of interest from those listed above. Other related topics will also be considered. The candidate will then be put in touch with the appropriate research mentor who will coordinate with the candidate on the proposal concept.

Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree.

Skills

Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in microwave remote sensing, precipitation science, and related fields.

Benefits

As a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow, you will have access to a wide range of resources, including state-of-the-art facilities, a supportive mentoring environment, and opportunities for professional development. You will also have the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research and work alongside experienced scientists and engineers.

Pay

The salary for the NASA Postdoctoral Program is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

The fellowship is typically one to three years in duration.

Contact Information

To apply, please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)

Location

Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

• Andrew L Molthan
• Brent Roberts
• Patrick Gatlin
• Timothy Lang
• Dan Cecil
• Sarah Bang
• Patrick Duran

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 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

Questions

For questions about this opportunity, please email npp@orau.org