Modeling of Planetary Thermospheres and Exospheres

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

The thermal structure and atmospheric escape within the transition region of planetary thermospheres and exospheres are being modeled for bodies such as Titan, Callisto, Mars, Pluto and early Moon. Theoretical models that employ principles of rarefied gas dynamics using techniques such as the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method are used to simulate the atmospheres to compare with data of the upper atmosphere from missions such as MAVEN, Cassini, Clipper and New Horizons. Analyses of current mission data will be used to provide a basis for examining the early atmospheres such as the Moon's early volcanic atmosphere. An existing DSMC model will be updated to carry out multi-dimensional studies and to include photochemistry in the rarefied region of atmospheres. The DSMC model will be coupled with hydrodynamic, diffusion or photochemical models to consistently model the effect of non-equilibrium conditions and escape occurring in the transition region of the broader atmosphere.

Requirements

- 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

- Degree: Doctoral Degree.

Skills

Familiarity with rarefied gas dynamics, Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, and theoretical modeling of planetary atmospheres.

Benefits

- Unique research opportunities at NASA Centers and Headquarters. - Competitive one- to three-year fellowships. - Access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

Pay

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

The program runs for one to three years.

Contact

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