Next Generation Earth Planetary Boundary Layer Sounding Strategy

About the role

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.

Description

This opportunity is closed to applicants who are Senior Fellows (5-years or more past PhD).

The planetary boundary layer (PBL) is the well-mixed shallow atmospheric layer near the surface characterized by vigorous turbulence, which controls the exchanges of heat, moisture, and momentum between the lowest layer of troposphere and Earth’s surface. The complexity of the PBL rests in the intertwined nature of the physical processes regulating its evolution. Global Circulation Models (GCMs) struggle in reproducing the observed trends in PBL, with the cloud radiative effect playing the major uncertainty role. This calls for attention in improving the processes influencing the PBL and modulating its long-term trends.

Satellite remote sensing from the current Program of Record has been instrumental in elucidating the role of PBL within the context of the broader, global Earth system. Yet, PBL satellite remote sensing has been impeded by unique challenges, including low information content, poor geophysical constraints, modeling and validation limitations. Due to these issues, remote sensing techniques developed for global applications, often result in inaccurate, poorly constrained estimates of PBL structural and functional dynamics. To this end, the 2017 Decadal Survey has highlighted Earth PBL as a target incubation variable for future exploration, highlighting the need for overcoming the limitation of the current remote sensing techniques, so as to better constrain projections of PBL climate.

Requirements

• PhD in Earth Science related disciplines
• High programming skills and experience with large volumes of data
• Expertise in inverse methods and radiative transfer is a plus.
• Expertise in AI/ML and data fusion techniques is a plus.
• Familiarity with technology hardware development is a plus

Qualifications

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.

Skills

• Expertise in inverse methods and radiative transfer is a plus.
• Expertise in AI/ML and data fusion techniques is a plus.
• Familiarity with technology hardware development is a plus

Benefits

Whether you are just starting your career or already at a senior level, ORAU offers internships, fellowships, research opportunities, and contract positions that can provide you with invaluable experience. Download the ORAU Pathfinder mobile app and find the right opportunity to propel you along your career path!

Pay

N/A

Schedule

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