The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University seeks to fill 1-2 postdoctoral fellowship positions for its collaborative research as a Joint Institute with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Information Services (NESDIS) in Camp Springs, Maryland (office will be in Camp Springs).

Background:

The ocean color research group within the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division (SOCD) of the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) of NOAA/NESDIS seeks to develop improved ocean color products from the current and future ocean color satellite sensors including SeaWiFS, MODIS on both Terra and Aqua, and VIIRS (on NPOESS), as well as sensors from other countries, e.g., MERIS, OCM, SGLI, GOCI. The ocean color research group is currently focusing on the development and improvement of satellite retrieval algorithms in the coastal regions, implementing algorithms for the NOAA operational data system, as well as various ocean color data applications in the inland and coastal waters. 

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will work on satellite data from various ocean color satellite sensors and ground in situ measurements from ocean and atmosphere to develop, validate, and evaluate algorithms from the remote retrieval of the ocean color and atmospheric products.  This includes:

• Working with SeaWiFS, MODIS, and/or other satellite data sets.
• Global and regional ocean color data processing using SeaDAS and/or other data processing software.
• Developing and improving algorithms for ocean color and aerosol products.
• Evaluating algorithms using the in situ measurements.
• On orbit vicarious calibrating the ocean color satellite sensors.
• Analyzing data from various satellite sensors, e.g., SeaWiFS, MODIS, and VIIRS, etc.
• Evaluating aerosol retrievals and developing aerosol retrieval algorithm.
• Publishing results in peer-reviewed literature, presentation at national/international conferences

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in a quantitative field of research (e.g. Physics/Math/Stat/Remote Sensing/Meteorology)
• Solid quantitative educational background in fundamental Physics, Mathematics and Statistics
• Proven list of deliverables (peer-reviewed publications, derived products, etc.)
• Willingness and ability to conduct an independent research, from problem definition to technical solution to documentation in a peer-reviewed literature and science conferences, while being a team player
• Proficiency in IDL, Fortran, Unix/Unix scripts programming; with preferred also in C.

Expertise/Experience in the following specific areas (demonstrated in peer-reviewed papers) is a plus:

(a)    Ocean color retrievals from satellite sensors such as SeaWiFS, MODIS; extensive experience with SeaDAS;

(b)    Algorithm developments for ocean color products in open oceans and coastal regions;

(c)    Ocean bio-optical algorithm development and modeling experience;

(d)   Experience with satellite sensor characterization and sensor on-orbit calibration;

(e)    Experience with satellite remote sensing data applications.

Annual Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

Travel Support:  Travel funds to a maximum of $1,000 will be available per candidate for in-person interviews.

Condition of Employment: Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community.  To achieve that goal, background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment are conducted.  Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search, and motor vehicle history.  The individual will also be required to pass a federal Security Assurance Check because the job is in a federally occupied building.

Application Deadline:  November 30, 2009