Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California.

As part of JPL's Earth Science Section, postdocs have a unique opportunity to engage in groundbreaking research and contribute to the understanding of our changing planet. At JPL, postdocs are immersed in state-of-the-art technology and world-leading expertise that spans all aspects of the Earth system, enabling us to map the myriad connections between Earth’s vital processes and the climate impacts of ongoing natural and human-caused changes.

In partnership with JPL’s diverse science, technology, and engineering workforce, and with Earth scientists and other partners at universities and other institutions, JPL postdocs have the opportunity to contribute to the development and demonstration of cutting-edge research and new technologies that can be directly applied to a broad range of Earth science measurements, missions, model development, and other advances. Opportunities include leveraging satellite observations, data from airborne missions, and computer modeling to transform measurements into a deep understanding of Earth's system and the interaction between processes. Increasingly, work at JPL includes using that understanding to inform decision makers and society at large.

What sets Earth science research at JPL apart is thus our broad and unique spectrum of research elements, providing a one-of-a-kind and enriching experience that goes beyond that found in traditional research environments. JPL is ideally suited to postdocs who are passionate about advancing our understanding of the Earth system.

About the Project:

JPL’s Carbon Cycle and Ecosystem group studies the impacts of climate and climate change on the carbon cycle and uses a variety of new tools and data (e.g., CMS-Flux inverse modeling, OCO-2 observations, satellite carbon monoxide, and solar induced chlorophyll fluorescence SIF) to understand the most frontier science questions about the carbon cycle and ecosystem function.

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in carbon cycle science through atmospheric inverse modeling, machine learning, utilizing both remote sensing and surface-based observations.

The selected postdoc will focus on the following:

• Conduct multi-trace gas inversions to improve estimates of carbon fluxes.

• Enhance the representation of transport errors, reducing their impact on carbon flux estimates.

• Optimize the use of satellite-derived CO2 and CO observations in high-resolution regional and global flux inversion models.

In addition to advancing carbon flux quantification, the postdoc will analyze inferred fluxes alongside climate data to investigate carbon-climate interactions, focusing on the impacts of extreme climate events. The candidate is expected to presenting findings at conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

The selected postdoc will focus on the following:

• Compare different satellite, in situ and model sea surface salinity products at the coast.

• Analyze a range of oceanic satellite data including sea surface salinity and sea surface height as well as runoff tide gauge data, and ECCO ( https://www.ecco-group.org ) model outputs.

• Characterize the influence of river discharge on sea level variability at different time scales (e.g., seasonal and interannual) via its impact on ocean salinity variations.

• Work closely with JPL scientists who are involved with the NASA Ocean Salinity Science Team and the ECCO science team.

• Present the outcome of the research and data analysis via science team meetings, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD in Atmospheric Science, Bio-geoscience, or related scientific field.

• Experience with data assimilation and/or model-data fusion theory and application.

• Experience in the development and use of atmospheric transport model.

• A record of relevant peer-reviewed publications and presentations at major international scientific meetings and conferences.

• Excellent oral (including public speaking) and written communication skills.

• Experience in scientific programming, statistical analysis, and data visualization.

Desired Qualifications:

• Eagerness to work with diverse and interdisciplinary team of scientists and support staff from JPL and elsewhere in a highly collaborative project environment.

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements (https://postdocs.jpl.nasa.gov/prospective-postdocs/eligibility/) by NASA. Postdoc positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years. Candidates should submit the following to this site: CV, representative publications, contact information for three references, and a cover letter stating their research accomplishments and interests.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks (https://www.jpl.jobs/benefits-perks)

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$83,820 - $83,820

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law. (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters)

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_unformattedESQA508c.pdf)

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here (https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control) .