Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California.

JPL’s Instrument Software and Science Data Systems group is seeking a postdoc to advance the use of cutting-edge data science methods for mapping wildfire precursors, post-fire indicators, and wildfire risk using imaging spectroscopy products. This work will combine newly-derived physical proxy models, PROSAIL, and spectroscopic transformers (Lee PNAS2025) to estimate vegetation characteristics in near-real time and after fire acquisitions. The postdoc position requires expertise across multiple domains, bridging data science, remote sensing, and operational product development for fire disaster response.

Responsibilities:

• Develop machine learning and generative modeling approaches for wildfire precursor and post-fire indicator mapping.
• Integrate imaging spectroscopy data with radiative transfer models (e.g., PROSAIL) and spectroscopic transformers.
• Quantify uncertainty in derived products and account for confounding atmospheric gases and instrument effects.
• Collaborate with various teams to develop and deliver operational data products for wildfire response.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in computer science, data science, remote sensing, Earth sciences, or a related field.
• Expertise in machine learning and uncertainty quantification with knowledge of advanced machine learning techniques such as transformers, diffusion models, and other generative modeling.
• Strong background in computational mathematics, optimization, and physical modeling.
• Experience with imaging spectroscopy data, instrument effects, and product development.
• Proficiency in radiative transfer modeling and associated software, such as PROSAIL.
• Significant programming experience in Python with familiarity with software engineering best practices.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting, publishing, and explaining technical results. Applicants should have a track record of published papers in top-tier peer reviewed journals.
• Experience in developing and optimizing algorithms for large-scale and/or real-time systems.

The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA. Postdoc positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years. Candidates should submit the following to this site: CV, representative publications, contact information for three references, and a cover letter stating their research accomplishments and interests.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.