Satellite Remote Sensing of Trace Gases from UV-Vis Spectrometers

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).

In recent decades, spaceborne spectrometers measuring back-scattered solar radiation in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (Vis) wavelength range, such as the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), have provided global observations of ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), and other trace gases critical for monitoring and understanding the ozone layer, volcanic eruptions, and smog and haze. Newer geostationary (GEO) sensors like GEMS and TEMPO offer similar measurements over regional scales but with significantly enhanced temporal resolution (hourly during daytime).

Advancements in instrumentation bring challenges in satellite remote sensing of trace gases. Ensuring timely delivery of retrieval products from more capable instruments, improving accuracy under large aerosol loads, reducing inter-sensor biases, and exploiting multi-spectral/multi-angle measurements are among the key areas of focus.

Field of Science

Earth Science

Qualifications

- U.S. Citizens;

- U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);

- Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status;

- 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

Skills

- Expertise in satellite remote sensing of trace gases;

- Knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence;

- Experience with advanced radiative transfer modeling tools;

- Ability to work on multi-spectral and multi-angle measurements;

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;

Benefits

One- to three-year fellowships

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Contact

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

Application Requirements

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents