Studies of the coupled carbon-climate system Carbon cycle feedbacks to the climate system may determine much of the future intensity of climate change. Results from multiple coupled-carbon climate models produce divergent and often conflicting results in simulations of the future. Today we have unparalleled tools for observing carbon cycle dynamics on land, in the oceans and in the atmosphere. An emerging area addresses observing human emissions of carbon cycle gases in urban environments and linking anthropogenic emissions to socio-economic and climatic drivers.
At JPL, we seek to develop and use advanced observing systems to improve our understanding of the carbon system, integrating space-based, airborne and in situ observations. Ongoing carbon cycle-related research, mission and planning activities at JPL address atmospheric, terrestrial marine and human systems. Examples include: • OCO-2, a spaceborne sensor that will observe global patterns of carbon dioxide with a planned launch in 2014, • SMAP, which will observe soil moisture, inundation, wetlands and soil freeze-thaw beginning in 2015, • CARVE, a Venture-class airborne mission studying Arctic climate-carbon interactions • AirMOSS, a Venture-class airborne mission making observations of root-zone soil moisture to quantify the impact of variations in soil moisture on regional carbon fluxes • Megacities, a unique study of the urban carbon metabolism of major urban areas using in situ and remote sensing approaches • AIRIS and AVIRISng, airborne imaging spectrometers that can quantify key terrestrial ecosystem properties • PRISM, an advanced coastal zone imaging spectrometer, • HyspIRI, a planned spaceborne imaging spectrometer that will provide global coverage of terrestrial vegetation chemistry and evapotranspiration, • DESDynI, a planned spaceborne synthetic aperture radar that will quantify forest structure globally • Global and regional, high-resolution carbon data assimilation modeling • Global and process-oriented ecosystem process modeling We invite applications for post-doctoral research positions in carbon cycle analysis and modeling as part of JPL’s Carbon Initiative. The successful applicants should be interested in analysis and modeling of carbon-climate interactions, with experience in process modeling, data assimilation and their integration with global or regional remote observations (airborne and spaceborne). The group’s remote sensing foci are in microwave and hyperspectral remote sensing, however, research is not limited to these areas. The successful applicants will have significant freedom to develop their own research focus, taking advantage of JPL’s relevant capabilities, including but not limited to those described above. JPL’s focus is on the coupled global carbon cycle, and scientists with, for example, remote sensing, modeling, terrestrial, atmospheric oceanic or energy systems science backgrounds should all consider this opportunity.
