What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Scientist Position: Assimilation of Upper Atmospheric Observations in NASA Assimilation Models position at European Geosciences Union (EGU)?
Some features of our web site require JavaScript to function properly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser.
Position
Research Scientist Position: Assimilation of Upper Atmospheric Observations in NASA Assimilation Models
Employer
GESTAR II Consortium
The GESTAR II Consortium supports over 140 researchers based primarily at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. GESTAR II researchers work to create extensive opportunities for breakthroughs in earth and atmospheric science research, carrying out observational, experimental and theoretical research in support of NASA strategic Earth Science mission objectives.
Goddard’s Earth Science Division is home to about 200 civil servants and over 1200 collaborating researchers and support personnel, dedicated to studying the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere. The Division operates as a component of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate that collaborate on interdisciplinary research with the Astrophysics Science, Heliophysics Science, and Solar System Exploration Divisions.
Homepage: https://gestar2.umbc.edu/jobs-at-gestar-ii/research-scientist-position-assimilation-of-upper-atmospheric-observations-in-nasa-assimilation-models/
Location
Greenbelt, United States of America
Sector
Government
Relevant divisions
Atmospheric Sciences (AS)
Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems (GI)
Type
Full time
Level
Entry level
Salary
Open
Required education
PhD
Application deadline
24 January 2026
Posted
11 December 2025
Job Description
Research Scientist Position: Assimilation of Upper Atmospheric Observations in NASA Assimilation Models
The Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research II (GESTAR II) consortium at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) invites applicants with a background in the fields of Atmospheric Science or Data Assimilation for a position focused on data assimilation in the middle and upper atmosphere. Research will be conducted as a part of the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), in close collaboration with the Ionosphere, Thermosphere and Mesosphere Lab in the Heliophysics Division.
Research in the GMAO emphasizes use of satellite observations to address questions that include weather analysis and prediction. Global ocean, ice, land-surface and atmosphere models are developed as components of assimilation and forecast systems, as well as for addressing the weather and climate research questions identified in NASA’s science mission. Research includes topics such as the generation and analysis of comprehensive model-based analyses that support studies of variability and change.
The work contributes to a major project between the Earth and Heliophysics Science Divisions at NASA GSFC, which is developing an analysis and prediction system that extends from the surface of Earth to the edge of space. The work of the successful candidate is expected to be fully integrated with GMAO development and will support the design and concept development of future NASA space missions. The work will focus on ingestion of NASA and other high-altitude past and current observations describing both neutral and ionospheric properties that will require development of new observation operators for previously unused data types. The successful candidate will work in an exciting environment that crosses between neutral atmosphere physics to electrodynamic interactions.
Required Qualifications
Goddard’s Earth Science Division is home to about 200 civil servants and over 1200 collaborating researchers and support personnel, dedicated to studying the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere. The Division operates as a component of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate that collaborate on interdisciplinary research with the Astrophysics Science, Heliophysics Science, and Solar System Exploration Divisions.
The nominal starting date is early 2026, but alternate dates are possible depending on availability.
Candidates should provide a cover letter, CV (including publication list), and a 3-page statement of research interests. Short-listed candidates will be asked to supply three letters of reference at a later date. All materials and inquiries should be sent by email Subject line: Task 244: Researcher Position to: Halley Thompson (halleyt@umbc.edu)
Completed applications received by January 24, 2026 will receive full consideration, however the posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The GESTAR II consortium and NASA/GSFC are committed to building a diverse research community and encourages applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans. All GESTAR II institutions are Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employers.
How to apply
Candidates should provide a cover letter, CV (including publication list), and a 3-page statement of research interests. Short-listed candidates will be asked to supply three letters of reference at a later date. All materials and inquiries should be sent by email Subject line: Task 244: Researcher Position to: Halley Thompson (halleyt@umbc.edu)
Completed applications received by January 24, 2026 will receive full consideration, however the posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Go back
Position
Research Scientist Position: Assimilation of Upper Atmospheric Observations in NASA Assimilation Models
Employer
GESTAR II Consortium
The GESTAR II Consortium supports over 140 researchers based primarily at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. GESTAR II researchers work to create extensive opportunities for breakthroughs in earth and atmospheric science research, carrying out observational, experimental and theoretical research in support of NASA strategic Earth Science mission objectives.
Goddard’s Earth Science Division is home to about 200 civil servants and over 1200 collaborating researchers and support personnel, dedicated to studying the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere. The Division operates as a component of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate that collaborate on interdisciplinary research with the Astrophysics Science, Heliophysics Science, and Solar System Exploration Divisions.
Homepage: https://gestar2.umbc.edu/jobs-at-gestar-ii/research-scientist-position-assimilation-of-upper-atmospheric-observations-in-nasa-assimilation-models/
Location
Greenbelt, United States of America
Sector
Government
Relevant divisions
Atmospheric Sciences (AS)
Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems (GI)
Type
Full time
Level
Entry level
Salary
Open
Required education
PhD
Application deadline
24 January 2026
Posted
11 December 2025
Job Description
Research Scientist Position: Assimilation of Upper Atmospheric Observations in NASA Assimilation Models
The Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research II (GESTAR II) consortium at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) invites applicants with a background in the fields of Atmospheric Science or Data Assimilation for a position focused on data assimilation in the middle and upper atmosphere. Research will be conducted as a part of the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), in close collaboration with the Ionosphere, Thermosphere and Mesosphere Lab in the Heliophysics Division.
Research in the GMAO emphasizes use of satellite observations to address questions that include weather analysis and prediction. Global ocean, ice, land-surface and atmosphere models are developed as components of assimilation and forecast systems, as well as for addressing the weather and climate research questions identified in NASA’s science mission. Research includes topics such as the generation and analysis of comprehensive model-based analyses that support studies of variability and change.
The work contributes to a major project between the Earth and Heliophysics Science Divisions at NASA GSFC, which is developing an analysis and prediction system that extends from the surface of Earth to the edge of space. The work of the successful candidate is expected to be fully integrated with GMAO development and will support the design and concept development of future NASA space missions. The work will focus on ingestion of NASA and other high-altitude past and current observations describing both neutral and ionospheric properties that will require development of new observation operators for previously unused data types. The successful candidate will work in an exciting environment that crosses between neutral atmosphere physics to electrodynamic interactions.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Atmospheric Science or Data Assimilation
- Demonstrated ability to code in Python and other environments
- Experience running complex systems in high-performance computing systems
- Experience using upper atmospheric observations and (ideally) knowledge of the Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration (JEDI) data assimilation tools
Goddard’s Earth Science Division is home to about 200 civil servants and over 1200 collaborating researchers and support personnel, dedicated to studying the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere. The Division operates as a component of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate that collaborate on interdisciplinary research with the Astrophysics Science, Heliophysics Science, and Solar System Exploration Divisions.
The nominal starting date is early 2026, but alternate dates are possible depending on availability.
Candidates should provide a cover letter, CV (including publication list), and a 3-page statement of research interests. Short-listed candidates will be asked to supply three letters of reference at a later date. All materials and inquiries should be sent by email Subject line: Task 244: Researcher Position to: Halley Thompson (halleyt@umbc.edu)
Completed applications received by January 24, 2026 will receive full consideration, however the posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The GESTAR II consortium and NASA/GSFC are committed to building a diverse research community and encourages applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans. All GESTAR II institutions are Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employers.
How to apply
Candidates should provide a cover letter, CV (including publication list), and a 3-page statement of research interests. Short-listed candidates will be asked to supply three letters of reference at a later date. All materials and inquiries should be sent by email Subject line: Task 244: Researcher Position to: Halley Thompson (halleyt@umbc.edu)
Completed applications received by January 24, 2026 will receive full consideration, however the posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Go back