Research Fellow (Remote)

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The department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering (CLaSP) has a research portfolio that spans climate, space, and planetary science with annual research expenditures of $20 to $30 million. CLaSP offers an exciting research and teaching environment with wide scope and rich expertise within the department as well as diversified interdisciplinary opportunities within the university. The climate research themes in CLaSP cover radiation, climate change, weather and climate modeling, remote sensing, atmospheric dynamics, carbon cycle science, atmospheric chemistry and air pollution, atmosphere-biosphere feedback, aerosol-cloud-climate interactions, as well as cryosphere research.

Aronne Merrelli in CLaSP are recruiting for a postdoctoral researcher (Research Fellow) position. This is an initial one-year appointment with possibility of renewal, contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of work and the availability of funding. Pettersen's group performs a variety of research on cold cloud and precipitation processes, by using datasets from satellite, aircraft, and ground-based instrumentation. More details can be found on the group website:

The primary research funding is through the NASA Polarized Submillimeter Radiometer (PolSIR) satellite project. PolSIR was selected as part of the Earth Venture Instrument-6 program, and is scheduled to launch in 2027. The submillimeter observations are well suited for characterizing tropical ice clouds, and will help reduce key uncertainties in our knowledge of the Earth system. The specific project supported in Prof. Pettersen's group involves the development and application of radiative flux products to investigate the radiation and dynamical coupled processes in tropical convective ice clouds. These products will be developed using colocated observations from the Advanced Baseline Imagers aboard the NOAA operational geostationary satellite platforms. The development work will involve coordination with the larger PolSIR team, including the science data operations group at the University of Wisconsin. Science applications will involve collaboration with other members of Prof.Pettersen's research group, as well as the larger PolSIR science team, including researchers at NASA-GSFC, Texas A&M, and Columbia University.

Develop software packages to produce radiative fluxes at co-located to the PolSIR observation times and geometries

Work closely with the PolSIR Science operations team to validate and monitor radiative flux products

Use these products to investigate radiative effects of the tropical ice clouds observed by PolSIR

Lead preparation of scientific manuscripts, conference presentations, software development, software technical documentation, and project reporting.

Participate in a mentorship of junior researchers, including graduate and undergraduate researchers, and contribute to professional development projects within Dr. Pettersen's research group.

A PhD. in atmospheric science, applied physics, or a closely related field

Background in atmospheric radiation and passive radiometric remote sensing

Significant experience in scientific programming in Python, MATLAB, or similar programming environments

Strong communication skills, and interest in collaborative, team-based research

Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, and prepare technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and conference presentations

Cloud computing

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Department: Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan

Start date: Flexible; Initial one-year appointment, renewable based on performance for up to an additional two years

Aronne Merrelli, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering

Application Deadline
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