[ES_JOBS_NET] Student Research Opportunity: Evaluating the Planetary Boundary Layer Height Derived from GeoOptics GNSS RO Measurements

[Halley Thompson]

Graduate Student Research Opportunity


2023-2024
Student Research Opportunity: Evaluating the Planetary Boundary Layer
Height Derived from GeoOptics GNSS RO Measurements

Host: Dr. Manisha Ganeshan

Scientist, Earth Sciences

Email: manisha.ganeshan at nasa.gov

https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/sed/bio/manisha.ganeshan

Phone Number: 301.614.6409

Org Code: 613



Description:

This student position will support the work of Morgan State University
research scientist Dr. Manisha Ganeshan’s in the Climate and Radiation
Laboratory at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

NASA’s Climate and Radiation Laboratory seeks a better understanding of
Earth's climate on all time scales, from daily, seasonal, and interannual
variability through changes on geologic time scales. Research focuses on
integrated studies of atmospheric measurements from satellites, aircraft
and in-situ platforms, numerical modeling, and climate analysis.

The planetary boundary layer (PBL) hosts all exchanges of heat, momentum,
and moisture, between the atmosphere and the earth’s surface. Accurate PBL
measurements from space are a high priority for NASA and the NASA Decadal
Survey Incubation program.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS, offer the
opportunity to measure the PBL height using high vertical resolution Radio
Occultation (RO) profiles that penetrate the lower troposphere under cloudy
as well as clear conditions. Recent influx from new commercial satellite
vendors (such as Spire and GeoOptics) supplement existing RO missions such
as COSMIC-2, MetOp-C, and KOMPSAT-5, providing thousands of daily profiles
of refractivity, temperature, and moisture that present a unique
opportunity for comprehensive PBL studies, even in the remotest regions of
the planet. GeoOptics, in particular, has been reported to offer better
coverage of RO profiles in polar regions. Moreover, preliminary background
investigations indicate a higher percentage of GeoOptics RO profiles
penetrate to lower altitudes outside the tropics compared to other
contemporary RO products.

The student researcher will work to evaluate the Level 2 products offered
by GeoOptics, particularly the quality of refractivity profiles and derived
PBL height, by comparing against similar estimates from contemporary RO
data products (such as COSMIC-2, KOMPSAT-5, and Spire) that offer different
penetration capabilities. The student researcher will also assist in
comparing and evaluating the derived PBL height against radiosonde
observations from field campaigns.

A background in atmospheric science, meteorology, remote sensing, data
science, and/or computer science, is preferred. Candidates must currently
be enrolled in a related master’s or doctoral program..

This position is a one-year commitment with the possibility of extension
dependent on funding and performance. The commitment will be part-time.
Compensation will be between $15 and $22 based on the candidates experience
and qualifications.

To apply, please send a message to Dr. Ganeshan and copy Halley Thompson (
halley.thompson at morgan.edu) Please include your CV and a cover letter with
a description of your program and a description of your research interests.


-- 

*Halley Thompson, MPA, PHR*

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

Program Specialist

GESTAR II at MSU

Hiring Specialist

GESTAR II Consortium
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