California fault processes constrained InSAR andGPS observations

California Fault Processes Constrained by InSAR and GPS Observations

Apply for the California Fault Processes Constrained by InSAR and GPS Observations postdoctoral position at ORAU (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The position is located at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

0136-NPP-MAR
26-JPL-Earth Sci

3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Earth Science

Throughout the plate boundary zone, earthquakes respond to each other, transient stresses modulate earthquake occurrence, and tectonic and non‑tectonic (e.g., anthropogenic) processes can interact to produce non‑steady‑state behaviors in the fault and lithosphere system. Spaceborne surface deformation measurements are the primary observations to constrain these complex interactions. Data acquisitions from multiple satellite SAR sensors (e.g., ERS, Envisat, ALOS‑1/2, Radarsat, Terra

SAR‑X, Cosmo‑Sky Med, Sentinel‑1A/B, etc.) and airborne SAR (e.g., NASA UAVSAR) now allow us to image time‑variable deformation with fine spatial resolution over a range of different time scales. A postdoc is sought to relate the spatiotemporal variation of surface deformation from a comprehensive analysis of satellite and airborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) and GPS to infer the slip and mechanical variations of faults, earthquake and anthropogenic sources, landslide processes, and the mechanics and rheology of the lithosphere along the plate boundary zone in California.

The candidate will combine improved spatiotemporal deformation maps derived from satellite and airborne InSAR and GPS time series with advanced numerical modeling techniques to better constrain fault slip/locking, source parameters of solid‑Earth dynamic events, local stress/strain changes due to tectonic and non‑tectonic perturbations, and to constrain models of lithosphere rheology with the ultimate goal of an improved understanding of lithospheric processes and earthquake‑cycle dynamics.

• Relate the spatiotemporal variation of surface deformation from a comprehensive analysis of satellite and airborne InSAR and GPS.
• Infer slip and mechanical variations of faults, earthquake and anthropogenic sources, landslide processes, and the mechanics and rheology of the lithosphere along the California plate boundary zone.
• Combine improved spatiotemporal deformation maps with advanced numerical modeling techniques to constrain fault slip/locking, source parameters of solid‑Earth dynamic events, and local stress/strain changes.
• Advance the understanding of lithospheric processes and earthquake‑cycle dynamics.

• Doctoral Degree.
• 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 a valid EAD card and
  1) a valid I‑485 or I‑589 form in pending status.
• Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States.

Zhen Liu – zhen.liua.gov, 818‑393‑7506
Paul R. Lundgren – paul.r.lundgrena.gov, 818‑354‑1795

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

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

Mikeala
npp