Optical Remote Sensing Observation of Aerosol and Clouds from Ground-, Airborne, and Space

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

0292-NPP-NOV
26-GSFC-Earth Sci

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP). The 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.

This opportunity is closed to applicants who are Senior Fellows (5‑years or more past PhD). This research topic focuses on better understanding how atmospheric constituents such as aerosols, clouds, and trace gases affect the Earth’s atmospheric composition, radiation balance, and climate change. Specific topics include: (1) studying the effects of aerosol and cloud variability on satellite‑derived all‑sky direct aerosol radiative effects, (2) combining different space‑based sensors to perform profiling of the Earth’s planetary boundary layer, (3) characterizing gas, chemical and optical characteristics of different aerosol types to improve model predictions.

The investigations can be based on recent (e.g., CALIOP/CALIPSO), current (e.g., MODIS/AQUA) or upcoming (e.g., EarthCARE) satellite measurements, airborne measurements from field campaigns (e.g., NASA CAMP2EX, ARCSIX) or surface observations. Research involving machine‑learning techniques will be strongly encouraged.

Earth Science

• Meloe Kacenelenbogen
  Email: meloe.s.kacenelenbogen
  Phone:
• Kerry Meyer
  Email: kerry.meyer
  Phone:

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp

Preferred educational background is a completed PhD in Earth Sciences, specifically in the Earth's atmosphere (e.g., aerosol, cloud, precipitation, boundary layer thermodynamics, trace gases).

Programming, independent analysis, writing, organizational and people skills are all considered favorable.

Machine learning experience would be a plus.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree.

Mikeala