Scientist (Postdoc) in Earth Science

Scientist (Postdoc) in Earth Science

SRON - Netherlands Institute for Space Research

Leiden, Netherlands

Your position and team

You will be part of our team of 6 scientists working on trace gas retrieval in the Earth Science Group (ESG) of SRON. The ESG consists of approximately 40 scientists (permanent, postdocs, PhD students) who work on the data processing and interpretation of satellite instruments as well as the definition of new instrumentation and guiding the development. Our team develops algorithms for trace gas remote sensing, for operational data processing and validation, and gives scientific guidance during the implementation phase of future missions.

Your project

You will work on improving and maintaining the CO and CH4 data product from Sentinel-5P. This work you will perform within our SRON team in close collaboration with our project partners, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites EUMETSAT. Your tasks will include:

• Implementing and maintaining updates to the Sentinel-5P CO and CH4 operational processing chain, ensuring the scientific quality, robustness, and consistency of the data products, including running jobs on the SURF computing facilities;
• Performing validation and intercomparison activities with other satellite missions (e.g. Sentinel-5, GOSAT-2, GOSAT-GW) in collaboration with international partners;
• Conducting scientific research aimed at improving the existing data products, including the application of machine learning algorithms relevant to atmospheric physics, with a view to supporting future generations of remote sensing missions.

You will present your results to the project team, our external colleagues, at conferences, and in peer- reviewed journals.

Position Requirements

We are looking for a person with a PhD in (atmospheric) physics or machine learning. Very good programming skills in Python, C++ and/or Fortran are required, and a clear asset will be experience in deep learning. Good English language skills (speaking and writing) and the ability to work in a team and independently are necessary for this position.