Life Detection in Water-Ice Matrices

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

• Develop and test in situ life detection instruments for Mars exploration.
• Design and build laser systems, nonlinear optics, and software engineering prototypes.
• Characterize ice samples using isotopic dating and molecular methods.
• Contribute to the scientific justification for Mars exploration instruments.

Requirements

A Doctoral Degree is required.

Qualifications

• Interest and expertise in laser systems, nonlinear optics, pattern recognition, and software engineering.
• Experience with isotopic dating of ice and molecular methods.
• Knowledge of planetary science and the potential science return of instruments during Mars exploration.

Skills

• Laser systems design and development.
• Nonlinear optics and pattern recognition techniques.
• Software engineering and programming skills.
• Isotopic dating and molecular method expertise.
• Knowledge of planetary science and Mars exploration.

Benefits

• No benefits are provided as part of the NASA Postdoctoral Program.

Pay

• The salary range for the NASA Postdoctoral Program is $75,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

• The fellowship is for one to three years.

Contact Information

For questions about this opportunity, please email npp@orau.org. For more information, contact Mikeala.