Analysis of Multispectral Data Sets of Planetary Surfaces

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research program in Pasadena, California, is offering postdoctoral opportunities for highly talented scientists to engage in NASA's ongoing research projects. Candidates must have a Doctoral Degree and will work on advancing NASA’s missions in planetary science. The fellowship lasts one to three years and involves competitive research on various celestial bodies. This position is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and eligible foreign nationals.

Qualifications

• Must have a Doctoral Degree to apply.

Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing NASA research projects.
• Advance NASA’s missions in space science.
• Conduct research in planetary science.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0022-NPP-NOV26-JPL-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 proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

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. A wealth of observations on the surfaces of planets, satellites, and small bodies has been obtained by both ground‑based and spacecraft instruments. An understanding of the structure and composition of surfaces—both rocky and icy—can be acquired by fitting scattering models to photometrically accurate measurements of surfaces. These measurements can also be used to create maps of intrinsic color and albedo variegations on surfaces. This information leads to an understanding of the evolution of the surfaces and answers such fundamental questions as whether the dominant processes are exogenic or endogenic. Objects currently under study are the icy satellites of the outer planets, Titan, comets, asteroids, Pluto, Kuiper Belt Objects and Centaurs, and the Moon. Data sets include observations from the Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer on Cassini; New Horizons; and various ground‑based telescopes, including the 200‑inch Hale Telescope at Palomar Mountain.

References:

Buratti, B. J. et al. 2005. Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer Observations of Iapetus: Detection of CO2. Ap. J. 622, L149-L152.
Buratti, B. J., M. Hicks, and A. Davies 2005. Spectrophotometry of the small satellites of Saturn and their relationship to Iapetus, Phoebe, and Hyperion. Icarus 175, 490-495.

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

Bonnie Buratti
[e-mail]
818-354-7427

Legal & Eligibility

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 [e-mail]

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.