Observations and analysis of trace gases in the troposphere and lower stratosphere

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.

Description

NASA's Atmospheric Composition focus area studies the variations in and processes that affect aerosols, clouds, and trace gases, which influence climate, weather, and air quality. A combination of airborne observations, satellite information, and numerical modeling is required to understand how atmospheric composition is changing, why it is changing, and the consequences of such changes for air quality and climate.

This research project focuses on airborne in situ measurements of trace gases, such as formaldehyde (HCHO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3), from a variety of NASA aircraft (WB-57, ER-2, DC-8, etc.). Such observations complement the capability of satellite missions, such as AURA and TEMPO, by:

• validating satellite retrievals with traceable laboratory calibrations, and
• providing chemical insight into the drivers of variability in trace gases throughout the troposphere and lower stratosphere.

Potential research foci

• Convective transport and impacts on atmospheric composition or cirrus formation
• Emission and chemical evolution of biomass burning plumes
• Surface-atmosphere exchange of hydrocarbons, ozone, and NO2
• Global atmospheric oxidizing capacity
• Synergy between airborne and satellite observations

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

• Thomas Hanisco
  301-614-6598
• Glenn Wolfe
  (301) 614-6008

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org

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