Earth Science: Cryospheric Sciences Research

The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers research opportunities in Cryospheric Sciences at ORAU in Greenbelt, MD. The position involves studying the dynamics and thermodynamics of Earth's cryosphere, analyzing data, and developing remote sensing methods. Applicants must submit a research proposal, letters of recommendation, and a doctoral transcript. The fellowship is competitive and spans one to three years, focusing on the impacts of ice and snow on the Earth System.
Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0174-NPP-NOV25-GSFC-EarthSci

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 to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:
• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Application Deadline

11/1/2025 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (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.

Description:

This opportunity is closed to applicants who are Senior Fellows (5-years or more past PhD).

Our research centers on understanding the dynamics and thermodynamics of the sea ice, ice sheets, glaciers, and snow of the Earth (the cryosphere) and the interactions of the cryosphere with the Earth's atmosphere and ocean.

This work focuses on better understanding the role of ice and snow in the Earth System by analyzing data and developing remote sensing methods, algorithms, and physical models to address several important questions. These include understanding the current state of the cryosphere and how it is changing; determining the mechanisms that control those changes; and examining how these changes impact the rest of the Earth System. Our sea ice research efforts focus on understanding the variability of ice cover over time, how the sea ice modulates the exchange of energy and moisture between the ocean and atmosphere, and the influences of sea ice on ocean circulation. Studies of glaciers and ice sheets are targeted toward understanding where these ice masses are growing or shrinking and why, their contributions to sea level rise, and their interactions with the climate system either in response to or as indicators of climate change. The work involves the collection and analysis of in situ, aircraft, and satellite observations along with the development and use of sophisticated models to characterize the behavior of snow and ice and understand the processes at work.

Location:

Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science: Earth Science

Advisors:

Linette Boisvert

linette.n.boisvert@nasa.gov

301-614-5710

Nathan T. Kurtz

nathan.t.kurtz@nasa.gov

301.614.5013

Joseph MacGregor

Joseph.A.MacGregor@nasa.gov

301-614-5876

Brooke Medley

brooke.c.medley@nasa.gov

301-614-6705

Michael Studinger

Michael.Studinger@nasa.gov

301-614-6908

Angela Bliss

angela.c.bliss@nasa.gov

(301) 614-5458

Denis Felikson

denis.felikson@nasa.gov

301-614-6835

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: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/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

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements
• Degree: Doctoral Degree.