Scientific collaborator in satellite nowcasting

MeteoSwiss

Locarno, Switzerland

Description

The Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss is the national weather service of Switzerland. We record and forecast weather and climate in Switzerland and thus make a sustainable contribution to the well-being of the community and to the benefit of industry, science and the environment. The Radar, Satellite and Nowcasting division is responsible for the operation of the national weather radar network, the development and operation of applications for very short-term forecasts and alerts (nowcasting), and research and innovation in the field of radar and satellite meteorology and nowcasting. In the regional centre in Locarno-Monti we are looking for a Scientific collaborator in satellite nowcasting. Your task is to do applied research and develop operational applications in the field of nowcasting focusing on the usage of satellite data. You will closely collaborate with the other scientists in the team. The overall goal is to combine satellite, radar and lightning observations with data from other remote sensing systems, ground stations and the numerical weather prediction model COSMO to generate automatic nowcasts of precipitation, moist convection and clouds. Of particular importance are alerts of severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hail and wind gusts. You are also responsible to plan how to best exploit future developments in the satellite sector, such as MTG and EPS-SG, for nowcasting applications at MeteoSwiss.

Requirements

The position requires a PhD degree in atmospheric sciences or equivalent experience and strong background in satellite meteorology. Ideally you did a PhD, postdoc or EUMETSAT research fellowship in satellite meteorology focusing on convection, precipitation or clouds. Proven experience in computer programming along with the ability to deal with large amounts of data is expected. Team spirit and good oral and written skills in English are required. Applications from women will be particularly appreciated. We are looking forward to a top satellite scientist and motivated team player who will support us to make a quantum leap in the integration of satellite information into our nowcasting systems.

PostDoc - Ocean remote sensing

University of Iceland

Reykjavik, Iceland

 

Description

 

A postdoctoral position is available in the MARICE group at the University of Iceland in collaboration with the Marine Research Institute (www.marice.is). The postdoc will be linked with several projects including the project SEAMAN – Spatially resolved Ecosystem models and their Application to Marine management, funded by the SeasEra as well as the project Marsýn – Hydrodynamic information system for the north Atlantic, funded by the Icelandic Technological Development Fund.

 

Requirements

 

A PhD with a strong background in ecological modelling and use of satellite data; excellent writing skills and evidence of developing publications based on individual research. Competency in programming in R and experience with data management (for example MySQL) would be advantageous, but is not essential.

 

PhD - Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Inland and Coastal Waters

Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht

Geesthacht, Germany.

Description

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, near Hamburg, and in Teltow, near Berlin, conducts materials and coastal research. You can find more information at www.hzg.de. The Institute of Coastal Research at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht is investigating the natural physical and biogeochemical dynamics of the coastal ocean and the impact of anthropogenic influences on the natural state. We search for a qualified candidate to work on optical properties of water constituents to use hyperspectral ocean colour remote sensing data from satellites and airplanes to investigate water quality parameters in coastal and inland waters in the framework of the ENMAP-project (www.enmap.org). The Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) invites applications for a 3-year PhD position (m/f) in the area of "Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Inland and Coastal Waters" to prepare the German ENMAP mission. Your tasks include:

- hyperspectral measurements of inherent optical properties of different water constituents, like phytoplankton, minerals, and dissolved matter

- mathematical/spectral analysis to differentiate optical components based on the above measurements

- optical instrumentation, from measurements of light absorption and scattering to hyperspectral cameras

- participation and evaluation of in situ and aerial observations

- work as an integrative part of a motivated multidisciplinary team within the institute and with external academic partners

PhD - Air Quality Measurements from Space & the Ground

Delft University of Technology

Delft, The Netherlands

Description

Nitrogen dioxide in the lower atmosphere is an indicator for air pollution. It can be measured from space, e.g. by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on board EOS-AURA. These satellite measurements can be used to study worldwide changes in air quality. The uncertainties in nitrogen dioxide concentrations derived from satellite measurements are still very large. The PhD student will focus on quantification, understanding and decreasing these uncertainties, using remotely sensed measurements from the ground and in-situ measurement from weather balloons. Atmospheric models will be used to couple these measurements and study their mutual differences. The PhD student will mostly work with data collected during several measurement campaigns in Europe, the USA, and China between 2007 and 2013. More data will be collected during one or two intensive measurement campaigns in the course of the project. he PhD student will be stationed at KNMI in De Bilt but will fully participate in the PhD programme of TUD.

Requirements

As a potential candidate, you should have a Master degree in (astro-) physics, meteorology, chemistry, remote sensing or a closely related discipline. You should have good communication skills, be fluent in English, and preferably also in Dutch. You should have strong analytical qualities, a high level of motivation and good learning skills. In particular, we will assess your potential for quickly developing scientific writing skills and self-directing skills. You preferably have experience with remote sensing and radiative transfer. Good programming skills in FORTRAN, C, C++ or Python, are an advantage.

34 becas de formación

Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial

Madrid, Spain

Descripción

El Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial ofrece 34 becas de formación para titulados medios y superiores. Áreas:

- Diseño de sistemas electromecánicos de aplicación aeroespacial.
- Actualización documentación pirotécnicos. Procedimiento de instalación de cargas útiles pirotécnicas.

- Estudio de migración de los almacenes provisionales a polvorines permanentes. Se desarrollará en las instalaciones del INTA en «El Arenosillo» Huelva.
- Desarrollo de actividades de integración, ensayos y validación de un proyecto espacial.
- Ingeniería de sistemas espaciales, control de actitud, desarrollo de simuladores para control orbital.
- Diseño y análisis de estructuras en material compuesto.
- Análisis y simulación de mecanismos y estructuras aeroespaciales.
- Calibración de instrumentación en ensayos de turborreactores.

- Formación en sistemas de adquisición de datos.
- Aplicaciones en tiempo real sobre la red Ethernet del Centro de Experimentación del El Arenosillo. Estudio Software y Hardware. Se desarrollará en las instalaciones del INTA en «El Arenosillo» Huelva.
- Ensayos en vuelo de aeronaves.
- Desarrollo de sistemas electrónicos y de instrumentación para aplicaciones de instrumentación espacial.
- Telecomunicaciones de Sistemas Espaciales.
- Ingeniería de Sistemas Espaciales.
- Colaboración en la puesta a punto de un entorno de pruebas dinámicas para la verificación del S/S de Control de Actitud de Satélites.
- Análisis de receptores GNSS en entornos de alta dinámica.
- Optimización de trayectorias de Vehículos Aeroespaciales.
- Entorno de radiación espacial, efectos de la radiación en circuitos electrónicos, materiales y nuevas tecnologías.
- Corrección atmosférica de imágenes de teledetección y obtención de magnitudes geofísicas de interés: Reflectancia, temperatura y emisividad de la superficie terrestre.
- Estudio sobre el impacto de la radiación UV en la resistencia/supervivencia y degradación de sistemas modelo-biológicos en ambientes terrestres, de laboratorio y en el espacio.

- Técnicas de co-registro automático de imágenes multisensor. Integración en entornos operativos.
- Influencia de contaminantes en el comportamiento de Pilas de Combustible de polímero sólido. Se desarrollará en las instalaciones del INTA en «El Arenosillo» Huelva.
- Desarrollo de nuevos recubrimientos protectores frente a la oxidación y corrosión a alta temperatura.
- Caracterización de emisiones atmosféricas producidas durante la fase de ensayo de un turbofan.
- Análisis de moléculas orgánicas, biomoléculas y especies macromoleculares mediante técnicas cromatográficas.
- Análisis de imágenes de 60 quásares oscurecidos obtenidas con el telescopio espacial Hubble y espectros correspondientes del Sloan Digital Sky Survey.
- Simulación de reacciones de química prebiótica en sistemas de ultra vacío bajo condiciones controladas.
- Análisis y procesamiento de datos ambientales procedentes de Marte a través de la estación ambiental REMS a bordo de la misión MSL de NASA (Curiosity).
- Formación en el desarrollo, procesado y análisis de microarrays de ADN y anticuerpos.
- Formación en técnicas geomicrobiológicas de aplicación a ambientes extremos de interés astrobiológico.
- Desarrollo de aplicaciones GIS y aplicaciones de proceso de datos para estaciones de seguimiento de UAVs.

- Control económico de Proyectos de I+D financiados por los programas marco de la Unión Europea, colaboración en la certificación de costes de dichos proyectos y de sus auditorías.
- Análisis y gestión convocatorias Programa Horizonte 2020.
- Transferencia de tecnología en la industria y gestión de la propiedad industrial e intelectual.
- Comunicación y divulgación científico-técnica.

PostDoc - Satellite climatology

MeteoSwiss

Zurich, Switzerland

Description

MeteoSwiss, the Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, is by Federal mandate the national provider of weather and climate services in Switzerland. It provides services to the public, research and to private and commercial users. The Climate Division performs statistical analyses of climatological observations and model data. Within the framework of the international project Climate Monitoring Satellite Application Facility (CM SAF) of EUMETSAT, MeteoSwiss currently has a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Satellite Climatology. The focus of CM SAF is on delivering homogeneous time series of essential climate variables such as radiation fluxes, cloud properties and surface states. The successful candidate will develop a 30 year long climatological cloud mask and land surface temperature dataset from Meteosat satellite data over the Alps. The post will be embedded within the international EUMETSAT CM SAF project, which is lead-managed by the German National Meteorological Service (DWD). He or she will also prepare reports and publications for scientific journals and give presentations at national and international symposia.

Requirements

We are looking for a person who has a PhD in either meteorology, climatology or physics. Ideally, the candidate has proven experience in handling satellite and radiation data, is proficient in statistics, and familiar with Unix, complex data sets and programming in several languages (e.g. Fortran and R). The applicant should enjoy applying physics-related knowledge and findings to quantitative concepts and experimental products. The successful candidate will be expected to possess linguistic and editorial skills, for which good verbal and written communication abilities in English and German and, ideally, one of the other Swiss national languages are a prerequisite. We are seeking a self-motivated, enterprising and communicative team player, in return for which we offer a diverse and interesting post in an ambitious enterprise and a multifaceted and fascinating environment at the interface between research and application, as well as leading-edge tools and opportunities for continuous professional development.

PostDoc - Solar physics

World Radiation Centre

Davos, Switzerland

 

Description

 

A postdoctoral position in Solar Physics is available at the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos, World Radiation Centre (PMOD/WRC), Davos, Switzerland. The position is dedicated to study the physics of the upper solar atmosphere through the analysis of existing data from space instruments complemented with radiative transfer calculations. The ultimate goal of the project is to understand the physical processes responsible for the brightness variations emitted by the upper solar atmosphere in preparation for the analysis of the upcoming data from EUI and SPICE onboard Solar Orbiter. PMOD/WRC maintains the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) and is involved in numerous space experiments such as SOHO/VIRGO, PROBA2/LYRA, Picard/PREMOS, as well as SPICE and EUI onboard Solar Orbiter to be launched in 2017. Moreover, PMOD/WRC is the coordinator of the FP7 SPACE project SOLID

(http://projects.pmodwrc.ch/solid/). The solar group of PMOD/WRC consists of 3 senior scientist, 3 postdocs, and 2 PhD students.

 

Requirements

 

Applicants should hold a PhD in physics, preferentially in solar physics, astrophysics, or a related field. Experience in data analysis, radiative transfer calculations, or MHD modelling is an asset. The candidate should have strong programming skills. Good knowledge of the English language is essential and the candidate should be capable of working both independently and in a team.

 

PostDoc - Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter

LESIA, Observatory of Paris

Paris, France

Description

The successful applicant will carry out research with Dr N. Biver, D. Bockelée-Movan, J. Crovisier and colleagues on the analysis of data obtained by the Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter (MIRO). The Rosetta mission will arrive at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. The goals of the MIRO instrument are to measure the sub-surface temperature of the nucleus, the production rates, and the relative abundances, velocity and excitation temperature of several gas phase species (CO, NH3, CH3OH, and three isotopologues of H2O), along with their spatial and temporal variability. The successful applicant will focus her/his research on the  development of inverse methods for the analysis of the molecular lines.

Requirements

The position requires a PhD in astronomy/astrophysics, and candidates should have experience on observations and radiative transfer modelling of molecular lines in cometary/planetary or circumstellar atmospheres.

Earth Observation Data Analyst

Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Plymouth, UK

 

Description

 

You are invited to apply for a post as an Earth Observation Data Analyst / Programmer in the PML Remote Sensing Group. This position is permanent and will involve remote sensing data processing and analysis, on behalf of, and in collaboration with, scientists and users in a variety of PML, UK and European EO projects such as the ESA Climate Change Initiative and the EC FP7 MyOcean2 project. If successful you will also: contribute to scientific papers; develop software in a Linux environment; assist with maintenance and development of the data processing systems; assist management of data holdings; and work with a wide range of EO datasets.

 

Requirements

 

PML is looking for a highly motivated individual with a degree, or equivalent level experience, in a numerate scientific or computer-based discipline. You will need to have good organisational skills and be able to prioritise your own workload. You should have good experience and skills in computer programming in Python/C/C++/IDL in a Linux environment. Experience in one or more of image processing, remote sensing or software design would be an advantage.

 

Researcher - Remote sensing and GIS

Research Centre - Gabriel Lippmann

Belvaux, Luxembourg

Description

The Public Research Centre - Gabriel Lippmann, a public establishment for applied scientific research and technology transfer, has an opening for a fixed-term position for its internationally recognised “Environment and Agro-biotechnologies” department (EVA) for: a researcher in remote sensing and GIS (m/f) (ref: EVA-20130219-SENSA). The selected candidate will work on the ESA-funded SENSA project which implements a collaborative platform supporting “sustainable & responsible tourism” in protected / remote areas, such as natural parks, natural reserves and historical sites. The researcher will develop a methodology to map land use and land cover on different scales in protected areas for ecotourism, participate in the acquisition of geospatial data, sampling of field data and map preparation. The maps will be the basis for an interactive ecotourism and navigation platform in nature parks. The candidate will join a multi-disciplinary research team including remote sensing scientists, geographers and spatial ecologists.

PhD - Radar interferometry

University Joseph Fourier

Grenoble, France

Description

The launch of two satellites, planned in 2013, ALOS-2 from JAXA and Sentinel from ESA, will allow to obtain large series of SAR data in ScanSAR mode, covering roughly N-S tracks of 400km width. It is here a unique opportunity to study intracontinental ground deformation. Until now, the very large majority of interferometric (InSAR) studies for sismo-tectonic applications were applied to the fault scale. Our team acquired in the last years a unique expertise in France to map by InSAR spatio-temporal variations of the deformation related to the seismic cycle in variable tectonic contexts (subduction and large continental fault). This approach could now be integrated in the study of lithospheric deformation at a larger scale, here over the tibetan plateau. Integration of GPS and InSAR constraints in kinematic block models of Tibet implies to include the effect of lateral variations of elastic coupling along the main faults, the fault velocity, their 3-D geometry and possible internal deformation within blocks. Studying the visco-elastic response of the lithosphere subjected to stress brings constraints to the lithosphere rheology. The latter controls fault interactions up to large distances and the relationship between observed surface interseismic deformation, long-term velocities and strain localization at depth. Up to now, only GPS data are available to tackle the open questions in the present-day Tibet deformation at large-scale. However, although very accurate, they cannot map continuously the deformation field. The debate thus continues between opposite end-member models of Tibet deformation, either localized and controlled mainly by large and deep lithospheric faults or driven by distributed ductile flow in the lower crust. The aim of this PhD is thus to tackle this problem by mapping at various scales the deformation rate in Tibet. We propose to exploit all archived and acquired ScanSAR (Envisat, Sentinel et ALOS-2) across Tibet, starting from its eastern margin. The student will start by exploiting the Scan-SAR archive of the Envisat satellite, then he will integrate the flux of data coming from Sentinel and ALOS-2, launched in 2013. The student will also develop a mechanical model of intracontinental deformation at the scale of Tibet. The student may spend six months in China for scientific exchanges and field work.

PostDoc - Corot space mission

Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

Tenerife, Spain

Description

The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC, Tenerife, Spain) invites applications for ONE postdoctoral contract within the framework of the project entitled “Participation of the IAC in the CoRoT space mission” (AYA2012-39346-C02-02, PI: Dr. Hans J. Deeg).  For this project, we are coordinating the ground based photometric follow-up of CoRoT’s extrasolar planet-candidates, to which we contribute with frequent own observations, and are performing in-depth characterizations of detected planets. IAC is one of the leading research centers in Spain, covering theoretical and observational research and instrumentation across most areas of Astrophysics. The Spanish Government has selected it as a “Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence” in research. The successful candidate will have access to all observational and computing facilities in the Canary Islands, including the 10.4m GTC. Funding for travel to meetings and for relocation to Tenerife is available.

PostDoc - Superconducting detectors for SAFARI/SPICA

IMM-CNM-CSIC

Madrid, Spain

 

Description

 

The SPICA mission is planned as a continuation of the Japanese AKARI and the HERSCHEL mission from the European Space Agency in the far and mid infrared. Besides the telescope contribution from ESA, European institutions have been involved actively in SPICA through SAFARI (SpicA FAr infraRed Instrument) that will contribute with an image spectrometer in the far infrared, from 30 to 210 µm. Spain, through CAB-INTA-CSIC and IMM-CSIC has participated actively from its creation 5 years ago in SPICA. Under this contribution to SAFARI/SPICA it is necessary to hire immediately a physics PhD in charge of the electromagnetic design of superconducting detectors and its cryogenic characterization. We are searching for a Physics Ph.D with experience in superconductivity that will be in charge of:

 

1. - Electromagnetic design of superconducting Kinetic Inductor Detectors, KIDs, including design of absorbers and antennas for the efficient reception of radiation.

2. - Fabrication, in the Micro and Nanofabrication facilities at the IMM-CSIC by optical lithography and thin film deposition using Ultra High Vacuum magnetron sputtering of KID device structures.

3. - Low temperature characterization of detectors and absorbers and antennae. This part of the project will be carried out at the dilution refrigerator existing at the CAB-INTA-CSIC facilities

 

Forest Remote Sensing

The Institute of Surveying, Remote Sensing and Land Information

Vienna, Austria

 

Description

 

The Institute of Surveying, Remote Sensing and Land Information (IVFL) deals with the use of Earth Observation data and other geodata for characterizing and monitoring the land surface for applications in forestry, agriculture and for natural resource management. Our activities are mostly carried out in a multidisciplinary context, both in and outside the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU, Vienna). You conduct research in the area of forest related remote sensing within the frame of externally funded research projects. You develop and apply methods for mapping relevant parameters in forests using various optical data sources with different spectral and geometric resolution (for example related to the regionalization of point measurements, the monitoring of tree vitality and/or the mapping of tree species and age classes). You help publishing the results of your research in international peer-reviewed journals and to present research on national/international conferences

 

Microwave ocean remote sensing

National Oceanography Centre

Southampton, UK

 

Description

 

The National Oceanography Centre, part of the Natural Environment Research Council, is a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean and is one of the top five institutions of its kind in the world. With sites in Liverpool and Southampton, it is the UK's leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. Working closely with its partners and associates it provides capability to meet the needs across the UK marine science community. We seek an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our Satellite Oceanography group to perform research on innovative microwave remote sensing sensors and missions with applications to oceanography. Specifically, you will join the existing research team at NOC working on Synthetic Aperture Radar altimetry and interferometric SAR techniques for wide-swath ocean surface current imaging (Wavemill).

 

Global navigation satellite systems

Aerospace Research and Technology Centre

Barcelona, Spain

Description

The Aerospace Research and Technology Centre (CTAE) is a non-profit foundation set up in 2005 by Academia, Government and Industry in the region of Catalonia (Spain) aiming to enhance industrial competitiveness and promote innovation by providing research and technological developments services based on aerospace technologies. Recently, CTAE has been integrated into ASCAMM foundation, a leading private, non-profit organization specialised in design and production technologies, which has been developing its activities for almost 25 years in:

• Industrial R&D

• Technical Assistance

• Knowledge Transfer

The applicant shall work on GNSS projects dealing with the testing of GNSS equipment and the development of GNSS algorithms for different applications. He/she will be involved in:

• GNSS receiver signal processing

• GNSS receiver testing

• Contributing to the ongoing GNSS projects

• Writing of technical reports and proposals

• Data fusion with other positioning technologies for ubiquitous positioning

Research engineer - Indoor positioning

Aerospace Research and Technology Centre

Barcelona, Spain

Description

The Aerospace Research and Technology Centre (CTAE) is a non-profit foundation set up in 2005 by Academia, Government and Industry in the region of Catalonia (Spain) aiming to enhance industrial competitiveness and promote innovation by providing research and technological developments services based on aerospace technologies. In 2011 CTAE was integrated into ASCAMM Foundation, a leading private, non-profit organization specialised in design and production technologies, which has been developing its activities for almost 25 years in industrial R&D, technical assistance and technology transfer. ASCAMM Foundation has a strong focus on the generation of technology for the creation of high added value, market-oriented products and processes. The applicant shall work on activities related with the applied research, development and deployment of:

(1) Indoor Positioning Systems based on wireless signals (e.g. WiFi) for smartphones,

(2) Location Based Services. The global system is typically composed by software modules at the smartphones (Android OS) and at the server side (Python, PHP). The applicant shall work in several indoor positioning research lines, and at several layers of the system like signal measurements processing, positioning algorithms, network and hardware configuration, software modules integration, data storage, external APIs, user interfaces, digital maps, etc.

PostDoc - Exploitation of the Planck satellite

Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
Tenerife, Spain

 

Description

 

The IAC invites applications for one postdoctoral contract within the framework of the project entitled “SCIENTIFIC EXPLOITATION OF THE PLANCK SATELLITE AND TUNE-QUIJOTE CMB EXPERIMENT. EUCLID SATELLITE PARTICIPATION”, (AYA2010-21766-C03-02), whose Principal Investigator is Dr. José Alberto Rubiño Martín. Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: cosmology and the structure of the Universe, galactic astrophysics, the structure and evolution of stars, the interstellar medium, solar physics, telescope design and construction, high spatial resolution techniques, infrared and optical instrumentation, and astronomical space projects.It has been selected as a “Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence” in research by the Spanish Government. The IAC also leads the scientific teams responsible for the Day One instrument of the 10.4m GTC segmented telescope (http://www.gtc.iac.es), as well as their scientific exploitation. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the GTC is available on the IAC's Web page (http://www.iac.es/).  Tasks:

 

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships

NASA

United States

Description

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) supports NASA’s goal to expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live. Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that offer scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research in fields of science relevant to NASA. These opportunities advance NASA’s missions in Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and space operations, and astrobiology.  Opportunities are available at NASA Centers and other NASA-approved sites. As a result, NPP Fellows contribute to national priorities for scientific exploration, confirm NASA’s leadership in fundamental research, and complement the efforts of NASA’s partners in the national science community.

PostDoc - James Webb Space Telescope - 2 vacancies

Centro de Astrobiología

Madrid, Spain

 

Description

 

Within the framework of the project "Spanish Participation in the James Webb Space Telescope", two postdoctoral contracts are offered at the Astrophysics Department of the Center for Astrobiology, with the following characteristics:

 

-  Participate in the research activities of the group in the area of star-forming galaxies, mainly using IFS instrumentation.

-  Development of own research projects of interest in the context of JWST.

-  Scientific support activities associated to the post ground-calibration phase of the instruments NIRSpec and MIRI.