Sensors and microelectromechanical systems for missions to hot planets

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

In the last few years we have seen rapid growth of III-V semiconductors geared towards a variety of applications where silicon performance falls short. Gallium nitride (GaN), a III-V semiconductor, is proven to be the material of choice for high-frequency, high-power, and high-temperature applications. GaN also offers a number of excellent mechanical properties, making it a suitable material for MEMS. Particularly, GaN and its related material family are very interesting for harsh environment applications. Beyond earth, GaN based microsystems can enable low-cost and long-lasting planetary exploration missions to hot planets. Our research objective is to develop a sensor technology platform that is temperature and radiation tolerant using gallium nitride MEMS technology. In this specific project the postdoc will help with developing temperature stable sensors and micro-instruments working at 500°C using GaN based acoustic and micromechanical components.

References

• M. Rais-Zadeh, D. Weinstein, Gallium Nitride for M/NEMS, Book chapter in Piezoelectric MEMS Resonators, pp. 73-98, 2017
• M. Rais-Zadeh, et. al, Gallium Nitride as an electromechanical material, J. of Microelectromechanical Microsystems, vol. 23, issue 6, pp. 1252-1271, 2014

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

• Mina Rais-Zadeh
• mina.rais-zadeh@jpl.nasa.gov
• 626-460-9989

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (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

Benefits

The NASA Postdoctoral Program 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.

Pay

Details on pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Details on schedule are not specified in the job posting.

Contact

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