Laboratory Chemistry Investigations of Planetary and Exoplanet Atmospheres

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 opportunity focuses on the experimental laboratory investigation of chemical reactions, photochemical processes, and spectroscopy important to planetary and exoplanet atmospheres. Gas phase kinetics and photochemistry are studied in the laboratory, producing experimentally derived parameters to drive complex computer models that simulate the atmospheric chemistry of interest. The models are used to simulate and recreate observations from telescopes, satellites and probes, in the form of chemical profiles or observed spectra. At JPL, the chemical kinetics and photochemistry laboratories specialize in producing reaction parameters for such models targeting planetary and exoplanet atmospheres, as well as Earth. The laboratories use state-of-the-art techniques for the study of reaction mechanisms and photochemical processes including pulsed laser photolysis combined with UV-VisIR absorption spectroscopy, laser induced fluorescence and mass spectrometry (electron impact and chemical ionization). The apparatuses can operate over a range of temperatures and pressures. Research focused on reactions that drive particle and haze formation, radical chemical cycles, and auto-oxidation are of particular interest.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in relevant field
• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (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

Skills

• Strong background in chemical kinetics and photochemistry
• Experience with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams

Benefits

• One- to three-year fellowship
• Opportunities to work with interdisciplinary teams across Earth, Planetary and Exoplanet science
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities

Pay

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

The schedule is flexible and tailored to the needs of the individual researcher.

Contact Information

For questions about this opportunity, please email npp@orau.org.

Point of Contact

Mikeala