Laboratory and Computational Investigations of Isotope Effects on Planetary Bodies
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
Postdoctoral fellows would contribute to this work in two ways:
- Performing laboratory experiments to determine isotopic fractionations in relevant planetary environments (e.g., carbon or hydrogen isotopic fractionation in simple hydrocarbons between Titan’s lakes and its atmosphere, adsorption-driven fractionation of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes between adsorbed water and the martian atmosphere).
- Performing high-fidelity quantum- and statistical-mechanical as well as molecular dynamics simulations of the same (and other) fractionations to elucidate the underlying chemical physics drivers of such processes.
Requirements
The most recent Planetary Science & Astrobiology Decadal Survey emphasizes the role of laboratory returned-sample analyses—particularly isotopic data—as a major focus for future NASA research and missions. Current work in our group supports several active missions, including MSL (Curiosity) and OSIRIS-REx, as well as missions in development (Mars Sample Return) and those still in the concept phase.
Qualifications
The field of science is Planetary Science. The degree required is a Doctoral Degree.
Skills
The most recent Planetary Science & Astrobiology Decadal Survey emphasizes the role of laboratory returned-sample analyses—particularly isotopic data—as a major focus for future NASA research and missions. Current work in our group supports several active missions, including MSL (Curiosity) and OSIRIS-REx, as well as missions in development (Mars Sample Return) and those still in the concept phase.
Benefits
The most recent Planetary Science & Astrobiology Decadal Survey emphasizes the role of laboratory returned-sample analyses—particularly isotopic data—as a major focus for future NASA research and missions. Current work in our group supports several active missions, including MSL (Curiosity) and OSIRIS-REx, as well as missions in development (Mars Sample Return) and those still in the concept phase.
Pay
N/A
Schedule
N/A
Contact Information
Point of Contact: Mikeala
Application Instructions
A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes: Research proposal, Three letters of recommendation, Official doctoral transcript documents, Application Deadline: November 1st, 2026, 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone.
Advisors
- Amy Hofmann: amy.e.hofmann@jpl.nasa.gov
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.
Questions
Please email npp@orau.org for questions about this opportunity.
Designated Countries
Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A current list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.