Postdoc: Salinity and Stratification at the Sea Ice Edge (SASSIE) Project

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. Postdocs at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California.

As part of JPL's Earth Science Section, postdocs have a unique opportunity to engage in groundbreaking research and contribute to the understanding of our changing planet. At JPL, postdocs are immersed in state-of-the-art technology and world-leading expertise that spans all aspects of the Earth system, enabling us to map the myriad connections between Earth’s vital processes and the climate impacts of ongoing natural and human-caused changes.

In partnership with JPL’s diverse science, technology, and engineering workforce, and with Earth scientists and other partners at universities and other institutions, JPL postdocs have the opportunity to contribute to the development and demonstration of cutting-edge research and new technologies that can be directly applied to a broad range of Earth science measurements, missions, model development, and other advances. Opportunities include leveraging satellite observations, data from airborne missions, and computer modeling to transform measurements into a deep understanding of Earth's system and the interaction between processes. Increasingly, work at JPL includes using that understanding to inform decision makers and society at large.

What sets Earth science research at JPL apart is thus our broad and unique spectrum of research elements, providing a one-of-a-kind and enriching experience that goes beyond that found in traditional research environments. JPL is ideally suited to postdocs who are passionate about advancing our understanding of the Earth system.

About the Project:

The JPL Ocean Circulation and Air-Sea Interaction group is looking for a postdoc to analyze airborne, satellite, and in-situ measurements and high-resolution ocean model output in support of NASA’s SASSIE (Salinity and Stratification at the Sea Ice Edge) project. The goal of SASSIE is to investigate the hypothesis that sea surface salinity (SSS) anomalies generated by summer sea ice melt predict autumn ice advance in the Arctic Ocean.

Arctic sea-ice cover has declined dramatically in the past decades. Autumn sea-ice advance is occurring later and faster, and summer retreat is occurring faster and slower, with some of the largest timing changes seen in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. The greater area and longer duration of open water in the Arctic has consequences for regional and global climate as well as human and ecological health. Salinity is a critical component of Arctic ocean-ice-atmosphere dynamics because it controls ocean stratification in the upper tens of meters and controls sub-surface ocean heat storage. Near-surface salinity variations may affect sea-ice formation and melt because of their modulation on stored sub-surface heat release.

The SASSIE field campaign took place in August-October 2022 in the Beaufort Sea. Ocean and ice data were collected from autonomous and ship-based in situ instruments and airborne radiometers and imagers A 1/12-degree northern hemisphere coupled ocean/sea-ice simulation was produced to compliment the field campaign.

The postdoc will:

• Analyze SASSIE in situ and airborne remote-sensing data

• Compare satellite sea surface salinity data with SASSIE salinity measurements and the ocean model

• Work closely with JPL scientists and engineers who are responsible for analyzing satellite sea surface salinity data and ocean modelling

• Collaborate with the broader SASSIE team at the University of Washington Applied Physics Lab (APL),

• Present the outcome of the research and data analysis via science team meetings, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants should have a PhD in Oceanography, Physics, Environmental Science, or a related field. 

• We seek a creative and highly motivated person with strong oceanography background and excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

• Candidates must be detail oriented, able to work both independently and in collaboration with others, and have demonstrated scientific programming skills.

• The ideal candidate has experience analyzing ocean observations (both in-situ and satellite) and analyzing numerical ocean model output.

• Experience working with "big data" in cloud computing environments is also a plus.

The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years. Candidates should submit the following to this site: CV, representative publications, contact information for three references, and a cover letter stating their research accomplishments and interests.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$82,180 - $82,180

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.