Airborne Lidar Measurements of Atmospheric Trace Gases, Aerosols, and Clouds

NASA Postdoctoral Program (HALO) – Lead Lidar Research Fellow

Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code: 0037-NPP-NOV
26-LRC-Earth Sci

Final date to receive applications: 11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities for highly talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects related to airborne lidar science. The Langley Research Center has developed the High Altitude Lidar Observatory (HALO), an advanced airborne lidar system for profiling water vapor, methane, and aerosol/cloud optical properties. The HALO system supports USAF Earth Science and atmospheric studies in collaboration with other ground and airborne sensors.

• Evaluate instrument performance and data quality, develop new algorithms or approaches for deriving new atmospheric data products (water vapor, methane, aerosol/cloud observations), and perform scientific analyses of lidar data sets alone or in conjunction with other field or satellite data.
• Participate in real‑time data acquisition, post‑flight data analyses, and scientific studies during both past and future field campaigns with the Langley Research Center team.
• Focus on instrument development efforts, including lasers, detectors, and advanced instrumentation techniques.

• Doctoral degree (or pending Ph.D.) required.
• Prior experience in lidar data analysis and system design/operation preferred.
• Experience linking water vapor or methane observations to modeling activities is advantageous.

Earth Science

• Amin Nehrir – amin.r.nehrir – (757) 864‑6107

• U.S. Citizens
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa status
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. with a valid EAD card and pending I‑485 or I‑589 forms

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp