Development of enhanced microwave soil moisture retrieval algorithms

This NASA Postdoctoral Program fellowship opportunity focuses on developing enhanced microwave soil moisture retrieval algorithms at Goddard Space Flight Center. The research involves conducting analyses to understand the performance of SMAP microwave soil moisture retrieval algorithms and assessing the accuracy of retrieved soil moisture with the goal of improving microwave retrieval algorithms. Soil moisture is a key hydrologic variable that controls Earth's water and energy balance, and L-band microwave observations provide the optimum measurement to estimate surface soil moisture remotely. The research includes developing methodologies to improve the spatial resolution of soil moisture retrievals from L-band missions in space from the current 40 km resolution to 1-10 km range for hydrologic and agricultural applications. The focus is on improving scientific understanding of factors affecting satellite soil moisture retrievals to ultimately improve current L-band microwave soil moisture products and provide high spatial and temporal resolution soil moisture estimates for the science and applications communities. This opportunity is part of the NASA Postdoctoral Program, which offers one- to three-year competitive fellowships designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.