Isotopic Characterization of Presolar Grains to Discern their Origins and Histories

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.

Research Focus

Research will focus on the multi-element isotopic analysis of presolar grains found in primitive meteorites and interplanetary dust particles using the NanoSIMS 50L instrument in the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) division at JSC. Data will be interpreted in the context of astrophysical models. We specialize in coordinating NanoSIMS analyses with focused ion beam (FIB)-assisted transmission electron microscope (TEM) mineral analyses of presolar grains, and these studies are highly encouraged.

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Location

Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas

Advisor

Ann Nguyen (281) 483-9446

Eligibility

U.S. Citizens; U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR); Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and, 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

Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree

Other Advance Instrumentation

• Scanning Electron Microscopes
• Electron Microprobe
• Raman Microprobe
• X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner
• An Array of Spectrometers

Contact Information

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

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Pay

TBD

Schedule

TBD

Benefits

TBD