Integrating Satellite Remote Sensing with a Demographic Dynamic Global Vegetation Model to Advance Carbon Cycle Science (at NASA)

The NASA Postdoctoral Program at ORAU offers a remote research opportunity focused on integrating satellite remote sensing with a demographic dynamic global vegetation model to enhance carbon cycle science. Candidates will propose studies utilizing lidar data and engage in mathematical modeling, programming, and analysis of remote sensing datasets. Applicants should possess relevant experience and expertise in Earth sciences and related fields. The application deadline is July 1, 2025.
Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0015-NPP-JUL25-GISS-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

7/1/2025 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).

A key challenge in constraining uncertainty in land carbon dynamics is how to represent the vertical and horizontal spatial heterogeneity and community structure of vegetation canopies in dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) that couple with climate models. DGVMs that represent demography of vegetation communities -- the distribution of plants of different sizes -- offer a promising, still emerging computational framework. Satellite lidar data are now also emerging as a means to quantify observed vertical canopy structure. Our group pursues studies to incorporate such data into a demographic DGVM coupled to the NASA GISS Model Earth System Model. We use satellite data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), and other Earth observing missions.

Postdoctoral fellows are invited to propose research incorporating lidar observations of vegetation at the site, regional and/or global scales. Studies could involve, but are not limited to:

(1) radiative transfer and albedo

(2) plant allometry to constrain canopy structure, vegetation biomass, and radiative transfer metrics

(3) development of new satellite lidar data products estimating vegetation demography or landscape structure

(5) coupled climate-carbon cycle simulation experiments that may incorporate any of the above, including climate change, seasonality, fire dynamics.

Successful applicants should have experience with mathematical modeling, computer programming, and analyzing field and remote sensing datasets. Background in the following is highly desirable: Earth, Physical, and/or Computing Sciences, Carbon Cycle Science, advanced statistics, programming in a compiled language like C or FORTRAN95, and scripting with python or R.

Location:

Goddard Institute for Space Studies

New York City, New York

Field of Science:Earth Science

Advisors:

Nancy Y. Kiang

Nancy.Y.Kiang@nasa.gov

(212) 678-5553

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.