Experimental Studies of the Chemical Composition and Geological Processes of Icy Worlds

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

Selected NPP fellows will help conduct research regarding the crystal structures, phase transition/behavior, heat capacity, thermal stability and reaction of putative materials that are of relevance to ocean worlds (e.g. clathrate hydrates, organic co-crystals, and frozen brines), whose many fundamental properties remain largely unconstrained to date. Projects are directly relevant to NASA’s Science Strategy Plan as they support the agency’s exploration initiatives and focus on scientific discovery.

Requirements

• Significant laboratory experience and familiarity with experimental techniques
• Expertise in crystallography and structure solution

Qualifications

A doctoral degree in a relevant field such as planetary science, chemistry, physics, or related disciplines.

Skills

• Experience with in-house analytical techniques including spectroscopies (infrared, Raman, UV), powder X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry
• Knowledge of crystallography and structure solution

Benefits

One- to three-year fellowships

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

References

• Vu, T. H. et al. “Spatial Distribution of Glycine and Aspartic Acid in Frozen Enceladus Brines.” Planet. Sci. J. 2023, 4, 156
• Johnson, P. V & Vu, T. H. “Formation of Vitreous Salt Hydrates Under Conditions Relevant to Europa.” Planet. Sci. J. 2022, 3, 151
• Cable, M. L. et al. “Titan in a Test Tube: Organic Co-crystals and Implication for Titan Mineralogy.” Acc. Chem. Res. 2021, 54, 3050
• Vu, T. H. et al. “Rapid Formation of Clathrate Hydrate from Liquid Ethane and Water Ice on Titan.” Geophys. Res. Lett. 2020, 47, e2019GL086265

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

• Tuan Vu
• tuan.h.vu@jpl.nasa.gov
• (818) 354-1000

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizens
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

Contact Information

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org

Point of Contact

Mikeala