Moon Interior Structure from Gravity Analysis

Organization National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Reference Code 0348-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-PlanetSci How To Apply All applications must be submitted in Zintellect Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org) A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes: Research proposalThree letters of recommendationOfficial doctoral transcript documents Application Deadline 11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone Description About the NASA Postdoctoral Program 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 project will focus on the analysis of Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) data to improve our understanding of the Moon's interior structure. The selected candidate will use data from these two lunar missions to focus on gravity field determination for the Moon, with the main topics being high-resolution gravity field models for modeling the structure of the Moon's crust, and time-variable gravity to probe the structure of the Moon's deep interior. The project will consist of both data analysis and interpretation of the results. The latter consists of developing methods to determine lateral and vertical density variations in the Moon's crust using novel constraint techniques, as well as modeling of the Moon's deep interior. The selected candidate will work with the Planetary Geodesy group at NASA GSFC. Field of Science: Planetary Science Advisors: Erwan Mazarico erwan.m.mazarico@nasa.gov (301) 614-6504 Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control. Eligibility is currently open to: 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 Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org Qualifications Candidates should have an engineering or science Ph.D. in a relevant field and have relevant experience to the proposed project. Point of Contact Mikeala Eligibility Requirements Degree: Doctoral Degree.