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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. The Postdoctoral scholars 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.
About the Section:
JPL’s Tracking Systems and Applications section seeks a postdoc for a one-to-three-year appointment. The postdoc will work with an established team at JPL to develop sequential estimation techniques to improve determinations of the terrestrial reference frame including frames determined solely from space-geodetic data and those determined jointly with the celestial reference frame.
About the Project:
The scientific element of the project consists of analyzing observations of geodetic station positions, Earth orientation parameters (EOPs), and radio source coordinates to determine terrestrial and celestial reference frames. JPL provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to investigate Earth science phenomena using a range of NASA missions. The postdoc will work among scientists and technologists in JPL’s Tracking Systems and Applications Section, in particular with our terrestrial reference frame team.
Postdoc’s tasks will include:
Interacting with the science and technology staff at JPL to advance the determination of the terrestrial and celestial reference frames
Using space-geodetic observations in conjunction with models of the Earth’s surface geophysical fluids to study Earth deformation and its impact on the realization of the terrestrial reference frame
Investigating the impact on the celestial frame of variability in radio source structure
Investigating the consistency of the terrestrial and celestial reference frames
Publishing research results in the peer-reviewed literature
Required Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Geodesy, Geophysics, or a related field
Advanced knowledge in one or more of the following areas: terrestrial reference frame determination, celestial reference frame determination, Earth rotation variations
Demonstrated experience with, and successful analysis of, space-geodetic observations taken by the very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) technique
Extensive understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, concepts, and techniques in the development of sequential estimation algorithms for analyzing space-geodetic observations and determining reference frames
Advanced knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in conceiving and conducting independent scientific research, with strong interest in applying these efforts to determining joint terrestrial/EOP/celestial reference frames
Strong knowledge of MATLAB, Python, C++ or similar programming and scripting languages
Preferred Qualifications:
Excellent interpersonal, oral (including public speaking), and written communication skills
Demonstrated knowledge of data science approaches and familiarity with space geodesy
Demonstrated expertise in scientific software development
Experience in conceiving and conducting independent scientific research, with a strong interest in applying those efforts to space-geodetic observations of the Earth system
Established reputation as a researcher as evidenced by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and/or international scientific meetings and conferences
Interest in participating in ongoing and future NASA Space Geodesy and NASA Earth Surface and Interior research programs
Eagerness to work with scientists and engineers from JPL and universities in a team environment
Proven ability to operate effectively with little oversight
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. Postdoc 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.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
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.
