Earth Science: Analysis and Interpretation of Ground, Airborne and Satellite- observations

Earth Science:
Analysis and Interpretation of Ground, Airborne and Satellite-based observations in support of the verification of the NASA Pandora Project

Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code: 0189-NPP-MAR
26-GSFC-Earth Sci

How to Apply: All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements:
How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org). A complete application includes:

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

Final date to receive applications: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

This opportunity is closed to applicants who are Senior Fellows (5-years or more past PhD). For more than a decade, NASA Earth Sciences has committed to the development and operationalization of the Pandora Spectrometer System, a ground-based/ship-based instrument at NASA GSFC, Laboratory for Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics. The instrument system retrieves total column trace gas densities utilizing sun/lunar-viewing and sky-scanning techniques.

Validated, near real time data products include total column O3 and NO2. Current experimental data products include near surface O3 and total column CH2O and SO2, with continued development of retrieval algorithms for their verification.

The addition of these products will greatly widen the use-case of Pandora and benefit its user community for continued monitoring of air quality and atmospheric composition. Current and future deployments of Pandora focus on long-term observations in support of validation for emission and air quality monitoring satellite platforms such as the Aura-based Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), the Sentinel-5 Precursor TROPOMI instrument, the upcoming TEMPO and GEMS geostationary satellites, and the air quality/atmospheric composition satellite MAIA.

Projects under way include:

• Evaluation and analysis of the combined observational platforms related to improving the verification and development of Pandora Spectrometer System retrieval algorithms and contextualization of the interpretation of Pandora air quality and atmospheric composition products, both operational and developmental.
• Development and refinement of improved profile algorithms for retrieval of O3, NO2, HCHO and SO2.
• Planning and design for current and future field and satellite calibration, validation, and verification campaigns.
• Harmonization and expansion of the NASA Pandora Project and its other ground-based networks (e.g., TOLNET, AERONET, MPLNET) and the ESA Pandonia project and networks to develop the Pandora Global Network (PGN).
• Development and planning related to the deployment of long-term fixed sites in support of current and future satellite missions in conjunction with governmental agencies such as EPA and NOAA and with international partners such as ESA, EUMETSAT and KIER.

Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

Earth Science

John T. Sullivan
john.t.sullivan

Thomas Hanisco
thomas.hanisco

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States
. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: NASA export control.

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.

Please email npp.

Mikeala

• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree.