Goddard Earth Sciences & Technology Center Staff

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY
GODDARD EARTH SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY (GEST) CENTER

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITION

Subject to funding approval, the Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology Center (GEST) will make Research Faculty appointments at the Research Associate, Assistant Research Scientist, Associate Research Scientist, and Senior Research Scientist levels as commensurate with experience. GEST is a Cooperative Agreement between the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to collaborate in research programs in the Earth, Information, and Instrumentation sciences. GEST is a Consortium whose members include UMBC, Hampton University, Howard University, and Caelum Research Corporation. Positions will generally be located either at GSFC or at the offices of one of the consortium members. More than one candidate may be chosen for some positions. All candidates must have degrees in an appropriate physical discipline and a demonstrated research record in accordance with the specific qualifications listed for the following position:

A post-doctoral Research Associate position is available through the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Center. The successful candidate will be posted to work at the NASA GSFC in Greenbelt.

We seek a research associate to investigate the configuration of the melt water routing system on the surface of the Greenland ice sheet. A primary objective will be to determine the connection between supra-glacial lake location, bed topography, and surface energy-balance feedbacks that help to determine lake location. A related objective is to understand the spatial distribution of surface meltwater channels and moulin locations in relation to the surface lakes that act as water sources of these features. The research associate will likely have an opportunity to participate in Greenland field work in summer 2010-11 and 2011-12. The primary data for this project will be remote-sensing data sets including ICESat, MODIS and ASTER data products, and existing field data on bed topography and surface ice velocity. The research associate will be expected to participate in publication and presentation of the research methods and results.

Requirements: The position requires a Ph.D. in Geophysics, Earth Sciences, or a related field. The position requires experience with energy balance modeling in ice sheets, and demonstrated understanding of the physical processes related to mass gain or loss from the ice sheets. The ability to program in Matlab or a related modeling package will be an asset. The candidate should be able to work independently. For posting to a location at GSFC, selection is contingent upon obtaining Goddard security clearance.

For best consideration, submit a cover letter (indicating position # 614-111-390) a complete curriculum vitae, home address, visa status (if applicable) and names and telephone numbers of three references by October 5, 2009 (application materials for this position will be accepted until position is filled) to: Danita Eichenlaub, Acting Director, GEST/JCET, 5523 Research Park Drive, Suite 320, Baltimore, Maryland 21228 or by email to Applications_GEST_JCET@umbc.edu. GEST partners are Equal Employment/ Affirmative Action employers.