Research Associate

Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0095-NPP-MAR26-JPL-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:

  1. Research proposal
  2. Three letters of recommendation
  3. Official doctoral transcript documents
Application Deadline
4/2/2026 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:

We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher position focused on advancing carbon cycle science by improving carbon cycle simulations using satellite observations and advanced computational techniques. 

The successful candidate will utilize a large perturbed parameter ensemble and a machine learning–based emulator developed from the Community Earth System Model to: 

  1. Quantify and diagnose model biases in ecosystem responses to climatic drivers across different plant functional types and geographic regions; 

  1. Identify key model parameters responsible for these biases; 

  1. Constrain these parameters by minimizing mismatches between simulated and observed sensitivities of carbon cycle variables. 

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Earth science, mathematics, or a related field. Preferred qualifications include experience in terrestrial carbon cycle science, data assimilation, and large-scale Earth system modeling. 


Location:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California

Field of Science:Earth Science

Advisors:
Junjie Liu
Junjie.Liu@jpl.nasa.gov
818-354-0059

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
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree.
NPP
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