Planetary Mineralogy and Petrology

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

• Conduct research in planetary mineralogy and petrology through the analysis of astromaterials and/or through experimental petrology.
• Determine the abundances and roles of volatiles (H2O, F, Cl, S, C, N) in magmatic systems within terrestrial planetary bodies, including Earth, Moon, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and asteroids.
• Determine the thermal and magmatic evolution of terrestrial planets under a variety of conditions relevant to planet formation from core formation to crust formation.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field.

Qualifications

• Strong background in cosmochemistry.
• Experience with planetary mineralogy and petrology.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills.

Skills

• Knowledge of planetary science.
• Experience with experimental petrology.
• Ability to analyze astromaterials.

Benefits

• One- to three-year fellowship.
• Opportunity to work at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Pay

• Salary range based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

• Full-time position.

Contact Information

For questions about this opportunity, please email npp@orau.org.

Point of Contact

Mikeala