Earth Science: Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) Observations, Modeling, and Understanding

The NASA Postdoctoral Program at ORAU offers research opportunities in Earth Science focusing on Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) observations and modeling. This competitive fellowship is based in Greenbelt, MD, and requires a doctoral degree. Candidates will contribute to NASA's DSI program, enhancing PBL observation systems. Applications must include a research proposal and letters of recommendation. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain foreign nationals.
Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0248-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).

NASA has initiated a Decadal Survey Incubation (DSI) program to support the development of next-generation planetary boundary layer (PBL) observations from space, suborbital, and ground-based instruments over the next decade that will enable transformational science across multiple disciplines. NASA-GSFC is committed to developing and participating in projects responding to this initiative, in an effort to build a true 'PBL Observing System' of thermodynamic profiles and PBL height, and will include advances in instrumentation, retrieval, models and assimilation, and science and applications. Research opportunities exist to contribute to the early stages and vision of this program in all areas of PBL observations, instrumentation, retrieval, modeling, and science. The ideal candidate will have experience with one or more of these areas as they relate to the thermodynamics and chemistry of the PBL, and in particular an understanding of their broader impacts on scientific understanding and weather and climate prediction across all scales. All areas of remote sensing (e.g. infrared, microwave, GNSS-RO, lidar, radar) and platforms (satellite, suborbital, surface) will be a component of this envisioned system, and are therefore suitable for this opportunity as well.

Field of Science: Earth Science

Advisors:

Joseph Santanello

joseph.a.santanello@nasa.gov

301-286-7450

Antonia Gambacorta

antonia.gambacorta@nasa.gov

(240) 281-7124

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.