The Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research II (GESTAR II) consortium at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) invites applications for a research position in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory (Code 614) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The lab advances understanding of changes in the Earth’s radiation balance, air quality, and the ozone layer that result from changes in atmospheric composition. Using a combination of satellite data, atmospheric models, and in situ observations, the laboratory strives to understand: the factors that control stratospheric ozone and trace gasses that influence ozone, the natural processes and human activity that impact the composition of Earth’s troposphere, and the impact of climate change on future concentrations of stratospheric ozone and tropospheric gasses.

The successful candidate will use radiative transfer models and remote sensing tools to study tropospheric ozone and aerosols. This position is best suited for a candidate with experience in big data and will focus on combining measurements from multiple sensors to develop new retrieval algorithms to derive tropospheric ozone.

The successful candidate will join the GESTAR II Consortium which supports over 120 researchers based primarily at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). GESTAR II researchers work to create extensive opportunities for breakthroughs in earth and atmospheric science research, carrying out observational, experimental and theoretical research in support of NASA strategic Earth Science mission objectives.

Goddard’s Earth Science Division is home to about 200 civil servants and over 1200 collaborating researchers and support personnel dedicated to studying the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere. The Division operates as a component of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate that collaborate on interdisciplinary research with the Astrophysics Science, Heliophysics Science, and Solar System Exploration Divisions.

The researcher will focus on:

Suomi NPP Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS), launched in 2011, comprises of three complementary sensors – Limb Profiler (LP), Nadir Profiler (NP) and Nadir Mapper (NM) – that scan the same region of the atmosphere from Earth’s surface to the mesosphere within minutes enabling retrievals of total columns and vertical ozone profiles. Ozone observations with OMPS instruments will be extended to mid-century with a series of JPSS missions. This opportunity is for a candidate interested in remote sensing and data analysis. This work will include evaluation of ozone total columns and vertical profiles retrieved from limb and nadir OMPS sensors and comparisons with independent ground-based and satellite measurements and model simulations. This validation will be aimed to assess the accuracy, precision and stability of OMPS ozone products. The acccurate error budget is required for continuation of the historical ozone data records and for investigation of long-term ozone changes.

Required knowledge and skills:

A successful candidate should have a Master or PhD degree in one of the following STEM fields Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Meteorology and have advanced programming skills working with big data (e.g. Python, IDL, Fortran). Experience in applying various statistical methods for data analysis (e.g. regression analysis, principal component analysis, machine learning methods) and basic knowledge of remote sensing are highly desirable. A successful candidate is expected to have excellent verbal and written communication skills, as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and oral presentations made at science conferences and workshops. A candidate should be capable of working both independently and within a dynamic project science team.

How to apply:

Candidates should provide a cover letter, three page statement of research interests and CV (including publication list). Short-listed candidates will be asked to supply three letters of reference at a later date. All materials and inquiries should be sent by email Subject line: Task 143: Research Scientist position to: Halley Thompson halleyt@umbc.edu.

Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The GESTAR II consortium and NASA/GSFC are committed to building a diverse research community and encourages applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans. All GESTAR II institutions are Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employers.

This posting will remain open until 10/21/2022. The nominal starting date is late November, but alternate dates are possible depending on availability.

This position is a one-year contract, renewable depending upon performance and funding availability.

For more information about the proposed research, contact Dr. Natalya Kramarova (natalya.a.kramarova@nasa.gov).