Geology and Habitability of Ancient Sedimentary Environments on Mars
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
This research program focuses on developing novel insights into the geologic context, depositional origin, and habitability of ancient sedimentary deposits on Mars. We are soliciting proposals involving:
- geologic and mineralogic mapping on Mars using orbiter visible image, topographic, and spectroscopic data,
- analysis of ground-based image and geochemical data from current and past Mars rovers, and
- field or laboratory analog work applicable to the ancient sedimentary rock record of Mars.
Requirements
References:
- Stack et al. (2019), ""Evidence for plunging river plume deposits in the Pahrump Hills member of the Murray formation, Gale crater, Mars,""
- Stack et al. (2016), ""Comparing orbiter and rover image-based mapping of an ancient sedimentary environment, Aeolis Palus, Gale crater, Mars,""
- Stack et al. (2015), ""Modeling near-infrared reflectance spectra of clay and sulfate mixtures and implications for Mars,""
- Stack et al. (2012), ""Bed thickness distributions on Mars: An orbital perspective,""
Qualifications
A Doctoral Degree is required.
Skills
Knowledge of Mars geology, mineralogy, and remote sensing techniques is preferred.
Benefits
N/A
Pay
N/A
Schedule
N/A
Contact Information
Point of Contact: Mikeala
Email: npp@orau.org