Microgravity Science and Technology

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.

Description

This opportunity pertains to the use of reduced gravity environments for the advancement of science and the enabling of technologies for space exploration in the areas of combustion science, fluid physics, and soft matter research. NASA Glenn Research Center has a world-class and unique suite of ground-based microgravity research facilities that include: a 2.2-second drop tower, a 5-second zero-gravity facility, and access to reduced-gravity aircraft. These facilities are utilized for 1) developing longer-duration space flight experiments to be conducted on the International Space Station, 2) conducting enabling research for NASA's missions to the Moon and Mars and 3) conducting experiments where a reduced gravitational environment may provide unique insights into physical phenomena of interest to NASA. Focused research investigations are in the specific areas of spacecraft fire safety, advanced life support systems and granular media behavior in low and partial gravity. Research is conducted in the physical sciences with an emphasis on gravitational effects on fundamental processes in such diverse areas as granular media, capillary flows, cryogenic systems, colloids, material flammability, flame spread, aerosol dynamics, smoke detection, boiling and heat transfer. Well-equipped state-of-the-art laboratories are used to develop new diagnostic techniques/instruments especially suited for use in space and microgravity environments. The investigations provide new knowledge that is used to improve processes and equipment (life support, thermal management, manufacturing, and crew health and performance) used for the exploration of space both robotically and by long-duration manned missions.

Location

Glenn Research Center
Cleveland, Ohio

Field of Science

Interdisciplinary/Other

Advisors

• David Urban
  David.L.Urban@nasa.gov
  216-433-2835

• Jerry Myers
  Jerry.G.Myers@nasa.gov
  216-433-2864

Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Doctoral Degree

Qualifications

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