The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University seeks to fill 1-3 Postdoctoral Fellowships or Research Scientist II/III 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). Position title of Postdoctoral Fellow will apply to an applicant who recently completed PhD (or with less experience in the field); otherwise title Research Scientist II/III will apply to an applicant with at least 3 years of post-doctoral work or its equivalent and with demonstrated extensive experience in the field.
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 NPP and JPSS), as well as sensors from other countries, e.g., MERIS, OCM, GOCI, OLCI, SGLI, etc. The ocean color research group is currently focusing on (1) understanding, evaluation, and refining VIIRS ocean color data processing system, (2) ocean color sensor (e.g., VIIRS) calibration and characterization, (3) development and improvement of satellite retrieval algorithms in the coastal regions, (4) implementing and transition research algorithms to the NOAA operational data system, and (5) various ocean color data applications in the inland and coastal waters.
Responsibilities:
The individual(s) in this position will work on satellite ocean color instrument calibration and characterization, including sensor on-orbit vicarious calibration (VC). Particularly, the individual(s) in this position will work on VIIRS characterization and calibration for ocean color data processing and applications. This includes:
- Sensor characterization and calibration: work with VIIRS sensor SDR team closely for understanding sensor pre-launch characterization and post-launch lunar and solar calibration to characterize the sensor degradation.
- Work with the Marine Optical Bouy (MOBY) and other in situ data for VC: understand data acquisition, in situ data processing, data quality, and needed techniques to obtain the best quality in situ data for VC, as well as other atmospheric and ocean in situ data for VIIRS VC evaluations.
- Routine on-orbit vicarious calibration for VIIRS: understand and work with VIIRS SDR data including sensor characterization and calibration (i.e., solar and lunar), evaluate effects of sensor performance (e.g., sensor polarization sensitivity) on VC results, VC technique refinements, and VC data processing for ocean color products.
- VC results analysis, evaluation, and test (data from global open oceans and coastal regions).
- 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) Experience with satellite sensor pre- and post-launch characterization and sensor on-orbit calibration;
(b) Experience with various instruments for in situ data measurements;
(c) Experience with satellite remote sensing data applications.
Annual Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Background Check: Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history.
Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2012 and continue until the position is filled.
Apply electronically by sending a resume, cover letter, and the names of three references to the attention of HRS Manager at the following email address: cira_hr@mail.colostate.edu.
Please put your name in the subject line of the email and reference position 11-122.
Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
