Utah State University's Department of Physics in the College of Science is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoctoral Fellow II):

The Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) is the first dedicated NASA mission to investigate global gravity waves (GWs) properties in the upper atmosphere and their impacts on the ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM). An Infrared imager (Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper or AMTM) will operate onboard the International Space Station during two years, measuring the intensity of selected spectral lines of the hydroxyl (OH) emission layer, around 87 km altitude. The raw image data will be processed to derive the mesospheric temperature, and to measure GW parameters with a near-global coverage. The AWE science objectives are: 1. to quantify the seasonal and regional variabilities and influences of GWs near the mesopause (~87 km altitude), 2: to identify the dominant dynamical processes controlling GWs, 3: to estimate the wider role of GWs in the ITM. The USU Physics department will host the AWE Science Operations Center (SOC).

Starting date
Temporary position starting in November 2023.

Duration
Three years, with the possibility of continuing depending on funding.

As part of this project, the postdoctoral scholar will be closely involved with AWE research. Their tasks will include:

• AWE scientific data analysis,
• Ground-based instruments data analysis,
• Mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students,
• Participation in AWE workshops,
• Publication of results in scientific journals and presentation at national and international conferences,
• Teaching opportunity can be provided through USU physics department with detailed mentorship.

Ph.D. by time of appointment. The candidate should have a strong research background in upper atmospheric dynamics, experience working with large datasets, including observational and model data, and a history of research productivity as evidenced by coauthor publications and first-author conference presentations.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. A list of two professional references and their contact information.
3. Documents below to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
   • Research Statement
   • Summary of research interests and achievements (max. 2 pages)
   • Publication and research activity list

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Utah State University is a highly selective, public, land-grant university and is classified as a Carnegie R1 Research University. The main campus is located in Logan, a community of 100,000 people. Logan is 85 miles north of Salt Lake City in scenic Cache Valley, a semi-rural mountain basin with nearby ski resorts, lakes, rivers, and mountains providing many recreational opportunities. The area has a low cost of living and provides a high quality of life. For more information on Logan see http://www.tourcachevalley.com.

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.

USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employs 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.

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In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

*updated 11/2022