Europa Geodesy and Geophysics

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU, in partnership with NASA GSFC, invites applications for the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) fellowships of 1–3 years. Candidates pursue research across planetary science, Earth science, and more, engaging with NASA centers and affiliated institutes.

The current project focuses on Europa's ice shell, ocean, and interior, including analysis of Galileo data and Europa Clipper planning, with interaction with the Planetary Geodesy group.

Qualifications

• Candidates should have an engineering or science Ph.D. in a relevant field and have relevant experience to the proposed project.

Education

Ph.D. in a relevant field

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0345-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-PlanetSci

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.

This project will support advancing our understanding of Europa’s ice shell, ocean, interior structure, and long-term evolution. The selected candidate may pursue projects spanning analysis of historical Galileo data, preparation for Europa Clipper measurements, and development of theoretical and numerical models.

Potential research projects include reanalysis of Galileo data such as radio tracking and imagery to improve constraints on Europa’s gravity field, ionosphere, and plasma environment. Research may also focus on end-to-end simulations of Europa Clipper flybys to evaluate the recovery of the gravity field, tidal response, ephemerides, and the benefits of combining tracking data with observations from other instruments. Also of interest are geophysical and geological investigations of ice shell thickness and lateral variability, geological features, tidal deformation and dissipation, internal ocean properties, crustal structure, and the deeper interior.

The selected candidate will work with the Planetary Geodesy group at NASA GSFC and will be able to interact with spacecraft mission teams such as Europa Clipper.

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

Erwan Mazarico

[e-mail]

[phone]

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]

Qualifications

Candidates should have an engineering or science Ph.D. in a relevant field and have relevant experience to the proposed project.

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.