[ES_JOBS_NET] Research Position in Hydrology, Atmospheric Science, or Earth Science Working in Land Data Assimilation for GEOS Weather Reanalysis, Greenbelt, MD

[Halley Thompson]

The Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research II (GESTAR II)
<https://gestar2.umbc.edu/> consortium at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight
Center (GSFC) <https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/> invites applications for a
research position in the fields of hydrology, atmospheric science, or Earth
science.

Based in the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO)
<https://gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/> at NASA GSFC, the GESTAR-II researcher will
contribute to the development and implementation of land data assimilation
components for the water and carbon cycles, including satellite remote
sensing observations of soil moisture, snow, land surface temperature, and
vegetation, with a focus on supporting the next Goddard Earth Observing
System (GEOS) reanalysis.

The research builds on the existing Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP)
Level-4 soil moisture ensemble data assimilation algorithm and its weak
coupling to the GEOS weather analysis system. The researcher will
contribute to extending the existing capabilities by including the
assimilation (or direct insertion) of snow observations, dynamic vegetation
properties (such as leaf area index and vegetation optical depth) or other
surface characteristics (such as albedo). In support of the GEOS
reanalysis, the researcher will prepare multi-decadal records of land
remote sensing observations, prepare other ancillary datasets needed for
the land assimilation, conduct land-only and coupled tests of the
assimilation system, and validate the output. Responsibilities further
include leading or contributing to the publication of articles in
peer-reviewed journals describing the research results and the writing of
proposals to support the research.

As part of their duties, the researcher will actively engage with the
reanalysis group and the land modeling and assimilation group in GMAO. The
position will also involve collaborations with other groups at GSFC as well
as the broader research community.

Required Qualifications:

   - PhD in hydrology, atmospheric sciences or Earth sciences related
   fields, and at least 3-5 years of related experience.
   - A strong background in land modeling and data assimilation is
   preferred.
   - Excellent quantitative, computational, and programming skills
   (particularly Fortran, MATLAB or Python, git or other software version
   control).
   - Strong written and verbal communication skills.
   - Ability to think critically and innovatively with an interest in
   interdisciplinary studies.
   - A demonstrated ability to contribute to team-focused developments of
   large, complex data assimilation systems.

The successful candidate will join the GESTAR II Consortium which supports
over 120 researchers based primarily at NASA GSFC. GESTAR II researchers
work to create extensive opportunities for breakthroughs in Earth and
atmospheric sciences research, carrying out observational, experimental and
theoretical research in support of NASA strategic Earth Science mission
objectives.

Goddard’s Earth Science Division is home to about 200 civil servants and
over 1200 collaborating researchers and support personnel, dedicated to
studying the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere,
oceans, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere. The Division operates as a
component of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate that collaborate on
interdisciplinary research with the Astrophysics Science, Heliophysics
Science, and Solar System Exploration Divisions.

The nominal starting date is September 1, 2022; alternate dates are
possible depending on availability.

Candidates should provide a cover letter, CV (including publication list)
and a 3-page statement of research interests. Short-listed candidates will
be asked to supply three letters of reference at a later date. All
materials and inquiries should be sent by email with subject line: “*Task
94: Researcher Position*” to Halley Thompson (halleyt at umbc.edu).

Completed applications received by June 3, 2022 will receive full
consideration, however the posting will remain open until the position is
filled.

Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and
qualifications. The GESTAR II consortium and NASA GSFC are committed to
building a diverse research community and encourages applications from
women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and
veterans. All GESTAR II institutions are Affirmative Action, Equal
Opportunity Employers.

For more information about the proposed research, contact Dr. Rolf Reichle (
*rolf.reichle at nasa.gov* <rolf.reichle at nasa.gov>).

-- 

*Halley Thompson, MPA, PHR*

she/they (what's this? <https://www.glsen.org/activity/pronouns-guide-glsen>
)

Program Specialist

Morgan State University

GESTAR II Consortium


halley.thompson at morgan.edu

halleyt at umbc.edu
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mailman.ucar.edu/pipermail/es_jobs_net/attachments/20220426/b80ea256/attachment.html>