NASA Postdoctoral Program - Geodetic Imaging of Earthquakes and Landslides

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. This specific research opportunity focuses on understanding the dynamics and structure of the Earth's crust and mantle to assess and mitigate hazards from earthquakes, landslides, and land subsidence. The research utilizes synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry, pixel offset tracking, GPS, seismometer waveforms, and gravity measurements to study surface deformation and topography. Time series analysis and modeling techniques are employed to understand the earthquake cycle, fault zone properties, and landslide mechanics. The research spans interseismic strain accumulation, coseismic slip during earthquakes, and postseismic deformation. The goal is to understand fault interactions and assess earthquake hazards, including probability and size distributions of future events, as well as to understand landslide processes. Results are provided to operational agencies like the USGS to enable decision-making and provide societal benefits.