Tectonics and Evolution of the Terrestrial 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.

Responsibilities

This research will contribute to understanding planetary evolution and habitability by examining the links between interior, surface, and atmospheric evolution. Specific topics include:

• factors that influence heat flow such as crustal and elastic thickness, volcanic history, and near surface thermal properties.
• Interior thermal evolution and the role of mantle plumes on affecting surface geology and volatile evolution.
• Tectonic processes that provides constraints on thermal evolution, such as rifting.
• Surface processes that provide constraints on the history of resurfacing on Venus, including possible signatures of climate change.

Modeling approaches include analytic and numerical methods. Model constraints come from data analysis of gravity, topography, radar, imaging, and surface temperature data.

Requirements

Research proposal

Three letters of recommendation

Official doctoral transcript documents

Qualifications

A completed doctoral degree in a relevant field by the start date of the appointment.

Skills

Experience with modeling approaches including analytic and numerical methods.

Knowledge of data analysis techniques for gravity, topography, radar, imaging, and surface temperature data.

Benefits

One- to three-year fellowship

Pay

Salary range: $75,000 - $100,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Full-time, 12-month appointment

Contact Information

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

Point of Contact

Mikeala