[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoctoral Scholar to study CO2 emissions, Penn State University

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

The Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at the Pennsylvania
State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to study CO2 emissions
from large metropolitan areas across the globe using remote sensing
measurements. The first part of the research will focus on satellite
retrievals from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)-2 mission collecting
column CO2 data since 2014. The second part of the research will explore new
measurements collected by the follow-up mission (OCO-3) collecting data over
cities and power plants across the globe, thanks to the pointing
capabilities of the instrument to be installed on the International Space
Station (launch in Spring 2019). The position will be jointly advised by Dr.
Sha Feng, Assistant Research Professor at the Pennsylvania State University,
and Dr. Thomas Lauvaux, Sr. Research Scientist at the Laboratoire des
Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement in France.

Scientific objectives: In the first part of the project, the effects of
aerosols and surface conditions on OCO-2  retrievals will be studied at very
fine scales (~1-km swath) for urban applications. The OCO-2 retrievals will
be further utilized to constrain CO2 emissions over specific cities. The
researcher will investigate the use of additional measurements (e.g.
CALIPSO) to identify artefacts in high-resolution OCO-2 measurements.
Previously, a high-resolution modeling system (WRF-CO2) has been developed
and applied to emission quantification over multiple cities. This work will
continue over a subset of cities across the world, in close collaboration
with the University of Michigan (Dr. Eric Kort) and the NASA Goddard
Research Center (Dr. Tomohiro Oda) to optimize high-resolution CO2 emission
products. In the second part, measurements from a selection of OCO-3 targets
will be studied, with the help of the OCO-3 science team at the NASA Jet
Propulsion Laboratory. A wide array of targets will be available with
hundreds of cities and power plants across the world being currently
selected before the launch. The postdoc will provide support for optimal
observing design (targeting and scanning strategy) and assimilate OCO-3
measurements to quantify CO2 emissions for multiple targets in different
parts of the world using a mesoscale inversion system.

 A qualified postdoctoral candidate should have a strong background in one
or more of the following areas: carbon cycle science, mesoscale modeling,
data assimilation, inverse methods, and remote sensing data analyses. Strong
communications skills, and a Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences or a related
field are required.

 Desirable:

Computer coding experience (Python, Fortran, Matlab/IDL, PHP, Web, etc.)
High Performance Computers (Unix/Linux) and Bash

Will to work cooperatively in a team and with external collaborators from
different research institutions

The initial appointments are for one year, with strong potential for
continued support. The positions are available beginning 1 December, 2018
and will remain open until filled. The salaries will be commensurate with
experience and will comply with Pennsylvania State University guidelines.  

To apply, please upload a current CV, a cover letter, the names and
addresses of three references, and a brief statement of research interests
and long-term goals. Applications received by 30 October will receive full
consideration.  For questions about the positions, contact Sha Feng,
<mailto:sfeng at psu.edu> sfeng at psu.edu .

To apply:  <https://psu.jobs/job/83671> https://psu.jobs/job/83671





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