Science - Microwave Atmospheric Science: People: Hui Su

The research objective is to investigate the "cause-effect" linkage among aerosol, clouds and precipitation using the latest Weather Research&Forecasting (WRF) model. The successful candidate will perform WRF modeling on aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions, in close connection with the ongoing A-train satellite data analysis. The satellite observations will be used to evaluate model outputs, and modeling results will help to understand the physical mechanisms that contribute to the observed aerosol-clouds-precipitation relationships. Drs Hui Su and Jonathan H. Jiang, in JPL’s Earth Atmospheric Science Section will serve as JPL postdoctoral advisors to the selected candidate.

Candidates should have a recent PhD in Atmospheric Science with a strong background in aerosol and cloud studies. Experience in aerosol-cloud modeling is highly desirable.

Using WRF-Chem Model to Study Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation Interactions
The aerosol-cloud-precipitation interaction has been a challenging problem in climate research. Recent study using A-train satellite data found that polluted clouds are associated with smaller ice cloud particle size and weaker precipitation rate than clean clouds over the South American dry biomass burning season (Jiang et al. 2008, GRL, submitted). Yet, the mechanisms for the aerosol-cloud-precipitation relationships can not be identified using observations alone. The latest WRF-Chem model with interactive aerosol module can be used to investigate the "cause-effect" linkage among aerosol, clouds and precipitation. We seek a postdoctoral scientist to perform WRF-Chem modeling on aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions, in close connection with the ongoing A-train satellite data analysis. The model results will be used to help understanding the physical mechanisms that contribute to the observed aerosol-clouds-precipitation relationships and satellite measurements will be used to evaluate model simulations and improve aerosol and cloud parameterizations in the model. Knowledge of aerosol-cloud interaction is required and experience with aerosol and cloud modeling is preferred.

MLS - Microwave Limb Sounder
The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) experiments measure naturally-occurring microwave thermal emission from the limb (edge) of Earth's atmosphere to remotely sense vertical profiles of atmospheric gases, temperature, pressure, and cloud ice.

Scientist/Research Scientist - Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (2005-Present)
Assistant Researcher, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA (2001-2005)
Staff Research Associate, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA (1998-2001)
Research Assistant, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (1993-1998)

JPL Lew Allen Award for Excellence, (2008)
JPL Hurricane Team Award, (2008)
NASA Group Achievement Award for Aura Microwave Limb Sounder Science Team (2006)

Su, H., J.H. Jiang, G.L. Stephens, D.G. Vane, and N.J. Livesey, "Radiative properties of upper tropospheric clouds observed by Aura MLS and CloudSat," Geophys. Res. Lett., in review.
Su, H., J.H. Jiang, D.G. Vane, and G.L. Stephens, "Observed Vertical Structure of Tropical Oceanic Clouds Sorted in Large-scale Regimes," Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, doi:10.1029/2008GL035888, 2008.
Huang, X., and H. Su, Cloud radiative effect on tropical troposphere to stratosphere transport represented in a large-scale model, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L21806, doi:10.1029/2008GL035673, 2008.
Jiang, J. H., H. Su, M. Schoeberl, S. T. Massie, P. Colarco, S. Platnick, N. J. Livesey: Clean and polluted clouds: relationships among pollution, ice cloud and precipitation in South America, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L14804, doi:10.1029/2008GL034631, 2008.
Fetzer, E. J., W. G. Read , D. Waliser , B. Kahn , B. Tian , H. Vömel , B. Irion , H. Su , A. Eldering , M. T. Juarez , J. H. Jiang , V. Dang: Comparison of Upper Tropospheric Water Vapor Observations from the Microwave Limb Sounder and Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, J. Geophys. Res., 113, D22110, doi:10.1029/2008JD010000, 2008.
Read, W.G., M.J. Schwartz, A. Lambert, H. Su, N.J. Livesey, W.H. Daffer, and C.D. Boone, "The Roles of Convection, Extratropical Mixing, and In-Situ Freeze-drying in the Tropical Tropopause Layer," Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 60516067, 2008.
Su, H., J. H. Jiang, Y. Gu, J. D. Neelin, B. H. Kahn, D. Feldman, Y. L. Yung, J. W. Waters, N. J. Livesey, M. L. Santee, and William G. Read, 2008: Variations of tropical upper tropospheric clouds with sea surface temperature and implications for radiative effects, J. Geophys. Res., 113, D10211, doi:10.1029/2007JD009624.
Read, W.G., A. Lambert, J. Bacmeister, R.E. Cofield, L.E. Christensen, D.T. Cuddy, W.H. Daffer, B.J. Drouin, E. Fetzer, L. Froidevaux, R. Fuller, R. Herman, R.F. Jarnot, J.H. Jiang, Y.B. Jiang, K. Kelly, B.W. Knosp, H.C. Pumphrey, K.H. Rosenlof, X. Sabounchi, M.L. Santee, M.J. Schwartz, W.V. Snyder, P.C. Stek, H. Su, L.L. Takacs, R.P. Thurstans, H. Vomel, P.A. Wagner, J.W. Waters, C.R. Webster, E.M. Weinstock, and D.L. Wu, Aura Microwave Limb Sounder upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric H2O and relative humidity with respect to ice validation, J. Geophys. Res. 112, D24S35, doi:10.1029/2007JD008752, 2007.
Fovell, R.G., and H. Su, 2007: Impact of cloud microphysics on hurricane track forecasts, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L24810, doi:10.1029/2007GL031723, 2007.
Jiang, J. H., N. J. Livesey, H. Su, L. Neary and J. C. McConnell, 2007: Connecting surface emissions, convective uplifting, and long-range transport of carbon monoxide in the upper-troposphere: New observations from Microwave Limb Sounder on Aura Satellite, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L18812, doi:10.1029/2007GL030638, 2007.
Liu, C., E. Zipser, T. Garrett, J. Jiang, H. Su, 2007: How do the water vapor and carbon monoxide "tape recorder" start near the tropical tropopause? Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L09804, doi:10.1029/2006GL029234.
Lin, X., J.-L. F. Li, M. J. Suarez, A. M. Tompkins, D. E. Waliser, M. M. Rienecker, J. Bacmeister, J. H. Jiang, H.-T. Wu, C. M. Tassone, J.-D. Chern, B. Chen, H. Su, 2006: A View of Hurricane Katrina With Early 21st Century Technology, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(41), 433.
Su, H., D.E. Waliser, J.H. Jiang, J-L. Li, W.G. Read, J.W. Waters, and A.M. Tompkins, 2006: Relationships of upper tropospheric water vapor, clouds and SST: MLS observations, ECMWF analyses and GCM simulations, Geophys. Res. Lett. 33, L22802, doi:10.1029/2006GL027582.
Neelin, J. D., M. Munnich, H. Su, J. E. Meyerson, and C. Holloway, 2006: Tropical drying trends in global warming models and observations, Proc. Nat. Acd. Sci., 103, 6110-6115.
Su, H., W.G. Read, J.H. Jiang, J.W. Waters, D.L. Wu, and E.J. Fetzer, 2006: Enhanced positive water vapor feedback associated with tropical deep convection: New evidence from Aura MLS, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L05709, doi:10.1029/2005GL025505.
Su, H. and J. D. Neelin, 2005: Dynamical mechanisms for African monsoon changes during the mid-Holocene. J. Geophys. Res., 110, D19105, doi:10.1029/2005JD005806.
Su, H., J. D. Neelin and J. E. Meyerson, 2005: Mechanisms for lagged atmospheric response to ENSO SST. J. Climate, 18, 4195-4215.
Neelin, J. D., and H. Su, 2005: Moist teleconnection mechanisms for the tropical South American and Atlantic sector during El Nino, J. Climate, 18, 3928-3950.
Su, H., J. D. Neelin, and J. E. Meyerson, "Tropical Tropospheric Temperature and Precipitation Response to Sea Surface Temperature Forcing," In Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction and Climate Variability.. Geophysical Monograph Series, 147, 379-392. C. Wang, S.-P. Xie, J. Carton, eds., Amer. Geophys. Union. 2004:
Su, H., and J. D. Neelin, "The scatter in tropical average precipitation anomalies," J. Climate, 16, 3966-3977. 2003:
Neelin, J. D., C. Chou, and H. Su, "Tropical drought regions in global warming and El Nino teleconnections," Geophys. Res. Lett., 30(24), 2275, doi:10.1029/2003GLO018625. 2003:
Su, H., J. D. Neelin and Joyce. E. Meyerson, "Sensitivity of tropical tropospheric temperature to sea surface temperature forcing," J. Climate, 16, 1283-1301. 2003:
Su, H., and J. D. Neelin, "Teleconnection mechanisms for tropical Pacific descent anomalies during El Nino," J. Atmos. Sci., 59, 2682-2700. 2002:
Chou, C., J. D. Neelin and H. Su, "Ocean-atmosphere-land feedbacks in an idealized monsoon," Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 127, 1869-1891. 2001:
Su, H., J. D. Neelin and C. Chou, "Tropical teleconnection and local response to SST anomalies during the 1997-1998 El Nino," J. Geophys. Res., 106, 20,025-20,043. 2001:
Su, H., C. S. Bretherton and S. S. Chen, "Self-aggregation and large-scale control of tropical deep convection," J. Atmos. Sci., 57, 1797-1816. 2000:
Su, H., S. S. Chen and C. S. Bretherton, "Three dimensional week-long simulation of TOGA-COARE convective systems using PSU/NCAR mesoscale model MM5," J. Atmos. Sci., 56, 2326-2344. 1999: