Advances in Satellite Remote Sensing of Ocean Phytoplankton and Biogeochemistry

Organization National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)Reference Code 0266-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-Earth Sci Description The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly‑talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA‑affiliated research institute. These one‑ to three‑year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. The objectives of this research are to take advantage of the hyperspectral and ultraviolet capabilities on NASA’s current and upcoming ocean color satellite missions, PACE and GLIMR, to infer biological and biogeochemical constituent concentrations and rates from the derived optical properties. Specifically, the aims are to develop advanced algorithms to retrieve from PACE and GLIMR remote sensing reflectance one or more of the following data products: Dissolved and particulate organic carbon concentrations and fluxes in coastal ocean and estuarine systems Phytoplankton community composition targeting the major taxonomic groups or harmful algal blooms and tracking the formation and succession of phytoplankton populations Surface water velocity vectors and trajectories of materials such as suspended sediments and organic matter To discern changes in ocean color properties to quantify event‑based (e.g., freshet, storms) impacts to phytoplankton and organic matter Existing and newly developed algorithms are applied to generate regional or global satellite time‑series observations to investigate phytoplankton communities, biogeochemical cycling, and the coupling between physical and biogeochemical processes on timescales of days to years. A critical component of this research includes determining uncertainties of these ocean remote sensing data products and derived geophysical trends. Potential research areas include ship‑ and laboratory‑based measurements to enable development of in situ bio‑optical algorithms for ocean color satellite retrievals and validation. Field of Science Earth Science Advisors Antonio Mannino antonio.mannino-1@nasa.gov (301) 286-0182 Eligibility Eligibility is currently open to: U.S. CitizensU.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa status Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.