Origin and evolution of lunar volatiles

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

Research projects to better understand lunar volatiles and their solar system origins can include mineralogic and petrologic studies, geochemistry (one or more of elements, isotopes, organics), experimental analogs, or modeling. Techniques may include but are not limited to electron microscopy, X-ray computed tomography, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Projects may also be conducted that align with the goals of sample return missions, such as Artemis, Mars Sample Return, or future comet/asteroid/moon sample return concepts; such projects would primarily focus on fundamental science questions and may or may not lead to direct connection to any given mission.

Requirements

• Broad experience working with meteorites, mission samples, or close analogs (terrestrial samples, experimental petrology).
• Independent user of at least one type of laboratory instrument, such as an electron microscope or mass spectrometer, is preferred.
• For candidates focused on modeling, hands-on lab experience is not required, but the candidate should be fully proficient in at least one programming language.

Qualifications

• Broad experience working with meteorites, mission samples, or close analogs (terrestrial samples, experimental petrology).
• Independent user of at least one type of laboratory instrument, such as an electron microscope or mass spectrometer, is preferred.
• For candidates focused on modeling, hands-on lab experience is not required, but the candidate should be fully proficient in at least one programming language.

Skills

• Interdisciplinary nature of this work provides opportunity for candidates with diverse scientific backgrounds.
• Developing a better understanding of the Moon’s endogenous vs exogenous volatiles will require many threads of research, so candidates may address or have experience in broader questions of formation, accretion and transport of primitive materials such as asteroids and comets, or of volatiles in early lunar/planetary igneous processes.

Benefits

• One- to three-year fellowships.
• Opportunity to engage in ongoing NASA research projects.
• Competitive fellowship.

Pay

• Not specified.

Schedule

• Not specified.

Contact Information

Point of Contact: Mikeala

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (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.

Questions

Please email npp@orau.org