PUNCH Postdoc Fellow I

Term position (6 months or more), visa sponsorship available, no relocation assistance.

About The Role

Conduct research using observations from NASA's Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission to improve understanding of coronal mass ejection (CME) propagation, solar wind evolution, and heliospheric structure. Research activities include the analysis of PUNCH polarization observations to develop methods for determining the three-dimensional location and structure of solar wind features. A separate project will involve the comparison of Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (SDO/HMI) magnetograms against simulation results of low-frequency MHD waves. Research is directed by an NCAR staff scientist and includes pre-defined research objectives and deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Analyze NASA PUNCH observations to characterize coronal mass ejections, solar wind structures, and heliospheric dynamics using polarization measurements and other mission data products.
• Develop and implement analysis tools in Python and IDL to derive the three-dimensional location and morphology of solar wind features.
• Analyze SDO/HMI magnetogram observations and compare results with simulations of low-frequency MHD waves.
• Prepare manuscripts, present research findings at scientific meetings, and contribute to project reports and collaborative discussions.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in physics, astrophysics, space science, atmospheric physics, or a related field, within less than five years of the application date or within the next six months.
• Knowledge of solar physics.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing observational or simulation-based scientific datasets.
• Programming skills in Python and/or IDL.
• Experience working in Unix/Linux computing environments.
• Familiarity with scientific visualization and analysis of large datasets.
• Understanding of 3D MHD processes and numerical modeling techniques.
• Experience comparing observations with numerical solutions.
• Quantitative and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate scientific results effectively through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary research teams.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and short & long-term disability insurance.
• Generous retirement plan (UCAR contributes 10% of base salary).
• Minimum 20 days of annual PTO, 10 paid holidays, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• FAMLI Leave.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.

Pay

Hiring salary: $82,650 USD.