Tropospheric Chemistry

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 research opportunity focuses on improving the understanding of tropospheric composition. High priority is placed on investigating transport and photochemical evolution of regional pollution as it is incorporated into the global atmosphere on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. NASA conducts frequent airborne campaigns that support this goal through integrating satellite observations, ground- and aircraft-based measurements, and air quality models. Data analyses and modeling efforts focus on validation and improved interpretation of satellite/airborne/ground-based tropospheric composition observations for their utility in research and monitoring of surface air quality. Research is not solely limited to NASA observations, as field campaigns routinely involve cooperation between NASA, other state/federal/international agencies, and other academic research partners.

General research topics

• Data analysis and/or modeling of recent airborne campaigns to investigate the impact of anthropogenic or natural emissions on tropospheric composition
• Understand the drivers of urban air pollution (primarily ozone and PM2.5)
• Improve the interpretation of satellite and other remote sensing observations (e.g., GCAS, Pandora), with emphasis on the use of new geostationary satellites (GEMS, TEMPO, SENTINEL-4)

Location

Langley Research Center
Hampton, Virginia

Field of Science

Earth Science

Advisors

• James H. Crawford
  Email: James.H.Crawford@nasa.gov
  Phone: 757-864-7231
• Katherine R. Travis
  Email: Katherine.Travis@nasa.gov
  Phone: 757-864-2370
• Laura M. Judd
  Email: Laura.M.Judd@nasa.gov
  Phone: 757-864-7670

Eligibility

• 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

Contact

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

Qualifications

- Degree: Doctoral Degree.

Benefits

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!