Scientist (postdoc) in Earth Science

Are you our new colleague?

Are you an ambitious post‑doctoral scientist with strong numerical skills and experience in atmospheric remote sensing and data processing? Then you are the person we are looking for.

You and SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands

Since 2017, the Sentinel‑5P satellite mission, equipped with the TROPOMI instrument, is in orbit and has been supplying critical data each day for climate and air quality analysis. This mission is a component of the Copernicus programme, with SRON overseeing the production of operational Methane and Carbon monoxide data. The expertise at SRON is crucial for the success of this mission and those that follow. You will join the Level 2 team at SRON, where we conduct trace gas retrieval to assess CO, CO₂, and CH₄ concentrations. Your role will involve enhancing data quality and ensuring the reliability of TROPOMI data products – open source and utilised by modellers to estimate emissions. This data is vital in the climate change dialogue and essential for advising policy makers on strategies for mitigation and adaptation.

Your position and team

You will be part of our team of 6 scientists working on trace gas retrieval in the Earth Science Group (ESG) of SRON. The ESG consists of approximately 40 scientists (permanent, postdocs, PhD students) who work on the data processing and interpretation of satellite instruments as well as the definition of new instrumentation and guiding the development. Our team develops algorithms for trace gas remote sensing, for operational data processing and validation, and gives scientific guidance during the implementation phase of future missions.

Your project

You will work on improving and maintaining the CO and CH₄ data product from Sentinel‑5P. This work you will perform within our SRON team in close collaboration with our project partners, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). Your tasks will include:

• Implementing and maintaining updates to the Sentinel‑5P CO and CH₄ operational processing chain, ensuring the scientific quality, robustness, and consistency of the data products, including running jobs on the SURF computing facilities.
• Performing validation and intercomparison activities with other satellite missions (e.g. Sentinel‑5, GOSAT‑2, GOSAT‑GW) in collaboration with international partners.
• Conducting scientific research aimed at improving the existing data products, including the application of machine learning algorithms relevant to atmospheric physics, with a view to supporting future generations of remote sensing missions.

You will present your results to the project team, our external colleagues, at conferences, and in peer‑reviewed journals.

Position Requirements

We are looking for a person with a PhD in (atmospheric) physics or machine learning. Very good programming skills in Python, C++ and/or Fortran are required, and a clear asset will be experience in deep learning. Good English language skills (speaking and writing) and the ability to work in a team and independently are necessary for this position.

What we offer

The position we offer at SRON is a full‑time position in which you will be employed by NWO‑I (The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research Institutes) for a period of 2 years. The extension of this period with another 2 years depends on external funding. The salary will be in accordance with NWO salary scale 10 with a maximum of € 5,590 – gross per month on a full‑time basis (depending on your level of education and experience). Compensation for commuting expenses will be provided. NWO has good secondary employment conditions such as:

• An end‑of‑year bonus of 8,33% of the gross yearly salary;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross yearly salary;
• 42 days of vacation leave a year on a full‑time basis;
• Options for (additional) personal development;
• Excellent facilities for parental leave;
• Ample training opportunities;
• Possibility of flexible working hours;

Why SRON

SRON's mission is to achieve breakthroughs in international scientific research from space. To this end, SRON develops groundbreaking technology and advanced space instruments. SRON promotes societal applications for space technology. We have a strong international reputation as 'excellent in space research'. The quality and societal relevance of our science is considered ‘world‑leading’.

About SRON

SRON is the Space Research Organisation Netherlands. Based at locations in Leiden and Groningen, SRON combines fundamental scientific research, technology innovation, and instrumentation development to enable breakthroughs in astrophysics, exoplanet research, and earth atmospheric research from space. In partnership with leading international partners and space agencies such as ESA, NASA and JAXA, SRON provides scientific and technological contributions to international space missions as well as expertise and support to the Dutch and international scientific communities.

SRON is the national base for the Netherlands participation in the ESA science program. On the national level, it works in close collaboration with the Dutch universities, other NWO institutes, and governmental agencies to pursue a cohesive agenda for space‑based research.

Equal Opportunity

At SRON we believe that a workforce diverse in gender, age, and cultural background is key to performing excellent research. We therefore strongly encourage qualified applicants of all ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, members of minorities, persons with disabilities, and potential dual‑academic‑career hires to apply.

Online interviews may be part of the selection procedure.

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