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.

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.

The postdoc will be a member of the microwave instrument science group (386G). Our group specializes in passive microwave remote sensing at Earth and across our solar system. We perform microwave remote sensing instrument concept development, performance specification, calibration, and scientific utilization for spaceborne, airborne, and ground-based systems.  Our group is responsible for developing state-of-the-art passive microwave instruments that respond to NASA/NOAA/DoD/NSF needs, developing performance requirements for microwave instruments, calibrating passive microwave instrument pre- and post-launch, developing retrieval algorithms to extract geophysical information from microwave radiometer data and scientific utilization of JPL and other microwave instruments resulting in presentations at conferences and publications in literature. 

The postdoc will support radiometer instrument development for next generation atmospheric temperature and water vapor sounders. This includes design, assembly and test of 50-200 GHz microwave radiometer receivers, intermediate frequency signal conditioning sub-systems and state-of-the-art digital spectrometer backends. The postdoc will work with our team to prepare an instrument for demonstration on a high-altitude balloon. This includes testing and validation of the instrument performance, mechanical integration on the balloon and analysis of the data returned.  The postdoc will be expected to analyze the atmospheric data returned and perform retrievals of the atmospheric state.  The candidate will publish the results in peer reviewed literature.  Depending on the selected postdoc's qualifications, additional duties may include scientific analysis of space borne radiometer data seeking new results in the areas of atmospheric, oceanic and climate science.    

The appointee will be guided by the JPL advisor to ensure that the research work will result in publications in the open literature.

Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Atmospheric Science, or related fields with a strong background in remote sensing. Applicants in all areas of passive or active remote sensing are encouraged to apply. However, applicants with proven credentials in the following fields will be given particular attention:

• Expertise in microwave radiometry, including characterization and calibration.

• Expertise in system design and characterization, Antenna design, Radio Frequency front-ends.

• Experience in microwave radiometer hardware design and fabrication, including knowledge of thermal and mechanical design considerations

• Expertise in the interpretation of calibrated datasets into scientific products. Understanding of the physical links between measurements and geophysical parameters.

• Expertise in radiative transfer remote sensing modeling.

• Experience in ground-based or airborne field campaigns.

• Desired programming skills: Python, C, C++, Matlab, VHDL, and/or Verilog, HFSS, ADS, GRASP

• Presentation skills.

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.

EEO is the Law.

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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 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.