Postdoctoral Researcher

JOB SUMMARY:

The Department of Physics and the Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research at New Mexico Tech are seeking a postdoctoral scholar to perform research on the field of lightning and thunderstorm studies. The specific project is focused on developing new optical instrumentation for lightning research, and to perform multi-band observations (optical + radio + X-rays) at the Langmuir Laboratory field facility. At New Mexico Tech, the postdoctoral scholar will be part of a large team working on lightning research consisting of professors, emeriti, research scientists, staff, and students.

The postdoctoral scholar is expected to perform independent research, but at the same time to work well with the team, and to assist with supervising students in the Department of Physics. The scholar shall also have the opportunity to champion a wide suite of instruments (learning to operate, maintain, and apply their data effectively), including the lightning mapping array, high-speed cameras, photometric arrays, neuromorphic sensors, electric field change antennas, field mills, X-ray sensors, and more.

• Take a leadership role in developing new optical instrumentation which advances the frontier of lightning observation.
• Participate in Summer observational campaigns at Langmuir Lab.
• Analyze data.
• Report the results in the format of peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations.
• Support the maintenance of existing instrumentation at Langmuir Lab.
• Supervise students.

Ph.D. or other doctorate level equivalent in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Atmospheric Sciences, or related field.

• Demonstrated experience/ability in all three categories listed above: instrumentation development, field campaigns, and lightning research, plus experience with computer programming.
• Experience with either optical spectroscopy or with operation of neuromorphic cameras.