NASA Satellite Data & ArcGIS Internship

NASA Satellite Data & ArcGIS Internship: Net Ecosystem Exchange (MODIS + VPRM) and Net Carbon Exchange (OCO-2)

Location: Remote
Position Type: Research Project Assistant, Short Term
Experience Level: Advanced (Expertise in ArcGIS Required)

Overview

This internship focuses on analyzing NASA satellite data to quantify Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) and Net Carbon Exchange (NCE) for carbon sequestration and offset verification. The project integrates MODIS and VPRM data to assess ecosystem respiration and gross primary production, alongside OCO-2 satellite data to evaluate column-averaged CO₂ concentrations.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and analyze MODIS and VPRM datasets to determine NEE, accounting for CO₂ flux dynamics over a given project area for the period 2020 to 2023.
• Utilize OCO-2 satellite data to assess Net Carbon Exchange and its implications for anthropogenic CO₂ emissions for the same period.
• Apply advanced GIS techniques, including ArcGIS, to geospatially visualize carbon exchange patterns.
• Conduct data validation using ground-based sensor comparisons and statistical modeling.
• Develop a  research report, including all raw data files and all programming steps and visualizations to communicate findings effectively.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency in ArcGIS for spatial analysis and carbon flux modeling.
• Strong background in remote sensing, geospatial data processing, and satellite-based CO₂ measurements.
• Experience with programming languages such as Python (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, R for interpolation, and climate data processing).
• Familiarity with carbon cycle modeling, eddy covariance techniques, and biospheric carbon sequestration.
• Knowledge of NASA satellite data sources, including MODIS, VPRM, and OCO-2.
• Ability to interpret and apply climate datasets (e.g., ERA5, TCCON validation datasets).

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in environmental science, atmospheric science, remote sensing, or a related field.
• Experience in big data processing and machine learning for geospatial applications.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with large-scale environmental datasets.

Benefits & Learning Opportunities

• Gain hands-on experience with NASA Earth observation data for climate research.
• Work on a high-impact project related to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.
• Collaborate with experts in remote sensing and environmental modeling.
• Potential for co-authorship on research publications.