NRL Characterization, Analysis, and Prediction of Atmospheric Aerosols
The Navy is using global models and satellite data to simulate and predict aerosol particle distribution, improving weather forecasts and understanding climate impact.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $108,245 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; relocation and health insurance benefits available. Typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship at the Naval Research Laboratory to advance global aerosol simulation and prediction using satellite data and atmospheric modeling to support Navy operations and climate research.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents holding a Ph.D. within 5 years; requires contacting research advisers prior to applying.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on the characterization, analysis, and prediction of atmospheric aerosols. Aerosol particles, both naturally occurring and anthropogenic, significantly impact U.S. Navy operations worldwide and have important climatic implications. The NRL has developed advanced aerosol simulation capabilities, including the NRL Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) and the Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS®), which integrate satellite data, weather forecasts, and model simulations.
Research efforts involve combining multiple satellite data streams (e.g., MODIS, MISR, GOES, MTSAT, AVHRR, TOMS) with global and regional weather forecasts to produce real-time aerosol distributions. Scientific challenges include quantifying satellite-retrieved aerosols, real-time source characterization, microphysical and chemical process modeling, adapting data assimilation techniques, and enabling two-way interactions between global and regional models. Validation and improvement of models are supported by field data collected from ships and aircraft, with close ties to international aerosol field experiments.
This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most comprehensive real-time aerosol simulation systems globally, advancing both operational forecasting and climate science.
