Detection, Monitoring, and Prediction of Pyroconvection
NRL seeks a Post-Doc to research wildfire-driven pyroconvection (pyroCb/Cu) detection, monitoring, and prediction to improve firefighter safety and smoke forecasting.
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 (Next deadline)
Funding Amounts: $108,245 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical postdoctoral fellowship duration 2-3 years
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship at the Naval Research Laboratory to research detection, monitoring, and prediction of wildfire-driven pyroconvection (pyrocumulonimbus and pyrocumulus) to enhance firefighter safety and smoke forecasting.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a Ph.D. in atmospheric or earth sciences; requires strong background in remote sensing, meteorology, and data analysis; includes access to high-performance computing and field experiment participation.
Description
The Naval Research Laboratory's Marine Meteorology Division (NRL MMD) in Monterey, California invites applications for a postdoctoral research fellowship focused on the detection, monitoring, and prediction of pyroconvection phenomena generated by wildfires, specifically pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) and precursor pyrocumulus (pyroCu). This research aims to improve decision-making related to pyroconvective hazards that impact firefighter safety and to advance smoke transport forecasting for a broad range of domestic and international stakeholders.
The project, led by Dr. David Peterson, involves developing improved detection algorithms and predictive applications using data from polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites, as well as airborne science platforms. The successful candidate will collaborate with NRL scientists specializing in satellite data processing, aerosol modeling, wildfire science, numerical weather prediction, and remote sensing, and will also engage with external leading researchers.
Field deployments are planned as part of the INjected Smoke and PYRocumulonimbus Experiment (INSPYRE) in western North America during 2026 and 2027, where the candidate will test and demonstrate developed products.
