About the role
Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0030-NPP-NOV26-LRC-EarthSci
How To Apply
All applications must be submitted in Zintellect.
A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:
- Research proposal
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official doctoral transcript documents
Application Deadline
11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
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:
The CERES Cloud Working Group and LaRC Satellite ClOud and Radiative Property retrieval System (SatCORPS) team at NASA Langley work synergistically to produce global datasets of cloud properties and radiation parameters derived from passive visible and infrared sensors on sun-synchronous (e.g. Aqua, Terra, Suomi-NPP, and NOAA-series) and geostationary (e.g. GOES, Meteosat and Himawari) satellites. These retrievals are key datasets for monitoring cloud systems at different spatiotemporal scales and are essential for quantifying and monitoring the Earth‘s energy budget, and for determining cloud radiative effects and weather impacts. Unique algorithms have been developed for application to operational satellites to determine aviation weather parameters and hazards, including the flight icing threat to aircraft. In addition, empirical methods and machine learning techniques have been applied for improving cloud retrievals in the more difficult conditions and for refining nighttime cloud products. Tasks of the cloud remote sensing group include:
- development and refinement of cloud retrieval algorithms,
- validation of cloud properties by combining numerous datasets and theoretical observations,
- satellite support for field campaigns (e.g. ORACLES, NAAMES, ACTIVATE),
- applied research on the role of clouds in climate, and
- studies to demonstrate the utility of satellite retrievals in weather forecasting tools.
Opportunities exist for studies that make use of radiative transfer simulations for interpreting viewing and solar geometry effects on cloud retrievals. Algorithm development and validation studies that combine satellite retrievals from numerous platforms (e.g. CloudSat, CALIPSO, and microwave sensors) as well as from aircraft data are also of interest.
Studies that relate aerosol variability to cloud microphysical and radiative changes (aerosol indirect effect and contrail forcing) are solicited.
Research that combines satellite retrievals with observations from recent field campaigns supported by the group fit well within the scope of this NPP opportunity.
Projects that propose novel use of machine learning techniques for algorithm development and data analysis of the climate data record are also encouraged.
Potential also exists for developing new products and applications that utilize hyperspectral infrared remote sensing measurements from current and future operational satellite systems.
Candidates with a solid background in remote sensing, radiative transfer, and physical climatology, with interests aligned with those of the CERES Cloud Working Group and SatCORPS team are welcome to apply.
Location:
Langley Research Center
Hampton, Virginia
Field of Science:
Earth Science
Advisors:
William L. Smith, Jr.
william.l.smith@nasa.gov
757-864-8577
David Painemal
david.painemal@nasa.gov
757-864-3100
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
Questions about this opportunity?
Please email npp@orau.org
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.
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