Scientist (postdoc) in Earth Science
Job types
PhD; Postdoc
Are you our new colleague?
Are you an ambitious post-doctoral scientist with strong numerical and analytical skills and experience in atmospheric remote sensing and data processing? Then you might be the person we are looking for.
You and SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
You will undertake the processing of data from the Japanese satellite GOSAT-2 to ensure the continuation of data products of concentrations of greenhouse gases CO2 and CH4. These are delivered under the European Union Copernicus programme, which uses Earth observation to monitor the atmosphere for climate and public health interests. These data products are open source and used further by modellers to determine emissions estimates. Such data are invaluable in the climate change discussion, and fundamental to informing policy makers, to help pave the way towards mitigation and adaptation approaches.
Furthermore, you will begin the development of software to analyse data from the new satellite mission GOSAT-GW, set to launch this year, with the aim of establishing operational data products of CO2 and CH4. Exploiting the different observing modes of the satellite, you will create a global data product, as well as using targeted observations to explore the synergy of GOSAT-GW with the European Space Agency (and SRON led) TANGO mission. With SRON’s long time knowledge and experience together we will take the next step in atmospheric remote sensing of greenhouse gases.
Your position and team
You will be part of our team of 10 scientists working on trace gas retrieval in the Earth Science Group (ESG) of SRON. The ESG consists of approximately 30-40 scientists (permanent employees, postdocs, PhD students) who work on the data processing and interpretation of satellite instruments as well as the definition of new instrumentation and guiding the development. Our team develops algorithms for trace gas remote sensing, for operational data processing and validation, and gives scientific guidance during the implementation phase of future missions.
Your project
You will work on a project that combines innovation with operational data processing, giving you the ability to gain a wide range of knowledge and skills, while putting your own stamp on climate change science. This work will be performed within our SRON team in close collaboration with our project partners, the European Space Agency (ESA) and our Japanese partners from JAXA and NIES. Your tasks will include:
· Operational data processing of GOSAT-2 data in the context of several projects in the
Copernicus programme.
· Investigating ways to improve the current GOSAT-2 data products.
· Establishing of a software framework for processing data from the GOSAT-GW.
· Analyze radiance observations using the RemoTeC software for the atmospheric remote sensing
of CH4 and CO2. Detailed quality analysis of the data will give us inside in the GOSAT-GW
mission performance.
A work stay at our Japanese partner institutes is foreseen. You will present your results to the project team, our external colleagues, at conferences, and in peer-reviewed journals.
Position Requirements
We are looking for a person with a PhD in (atmospheric) physics, computer science, or similar. Very good programming skills in Python, and/or C++/Fortran are required, and a clear asset will be experience in interfaces between Python and Fortran. Experience in machine learning will also be highly valuable. Good English language skills (speaking and writing) and the ability to work in a team as well as independently are required for this position
What we offer
The position we offer at SRON is a full-time position in which you will be employed by NWO-I (The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research Institutes) for a period of 2 years. The extension of this period with another 2 years depends on external funding. Your salary will be in accordance with NWO-I salary scale 10 at a maximum of € 5.486,– gross per month on a full-time basis (depending on your level of education and experience). Compensation for commuting expenses will be provided.
NWO has good secondary employment conditions such as:
Why SRON
SRON's mission is to achieve breakthroughs in international scientific research from space. To this end, SRON develops groundbreaking technology and advanced space instruments. SRON promotes societal applications for space technology.
About SRON
SRON is the Space Research Organization Netherlands. Based at locations in Leiden and Groningen, SRON combines fundamental scientific research, technology innovation, and instrumentation development to enable breakthroughs in astrophysics, exoplanet research, and earth atmospheric research from space. In partnership with leading international partners and space agencies such as ESA, NASA, and JAXA, SRON contributes science and technology to international space missions as well as expertise and support to the Dutch and international scientific communities.
SRON is the national base for the Netherlands participation in the ESA science program. On the national level, it works in close collaboration with the Dutch universities, other NWO institutes, and governmental agencies to pursue a cohesive agenda for space-based research.
More information about SRON can be found at www.sron.nl. For further information about the content of the position, please contact Dr. J. Landgraf (j.landgraf@sron.nl) or Dr. A. Barr (a.g.barr@sron.nl).