Experimental Investigation of the Stability, Formation, and Exchanges in Clathrate Hydrates for[...]

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is seeking candidates for the NASA Postdoctoral Program focused on Clathrate Hydrates Research at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. This role involves operating cryogenic measurement systems and developing thermodynamic models. Requirements include a doctoral degree in planetary science or a related field and experience with relevant laboratory techniques. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The application deadline is November 1, 2026.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in planetary science or related field required.
• Experience with laboratory techniques relevant to clathrate hydrate studies.
• Strong analytical skills and strong written communication.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain cryogenic measurement systems.
• Analyze experimental data and develop kinetic models.
• Communicate results through publications.

Skills

Laboratory techniques relevant to clathrate hydrate studies

Analytical and computational skills

Excellent written and oral communication

Education

Doctoral degree in planetary science, physics, chemistry, or a related field

Tools

Raman spectroscopy

Cryogenic systems

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Position

NASA Postdoctoral Program – Clathrate Hydrates Research

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

Mathieu Choukroun
[e-mail]
818-354-4875

Description

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers one‑to‑three‑year fellowships to conduct research that advances NASA’s missions. This postdoctoral position focuses on clathrate hydrates—crystalline structures that trap gas molecules—and their stability, kinetics, and chemical exchanges under planetary conditions. Experimental work involves operating a cryogenic optical gas pressure system coupled to Raman microscopy, with additional calorimetric, FT‑IR, and mass spectrometric instrumentation. The goal is to develop thermodynamic and kinetic models that address key questions about the role of clathrate hydrates in the early solar system and on Titan.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain cryogenic measurement systems and Raman microscopy.
• Analyze experimental data and develop thermodynamic/kinetic models.
• Communicate results through publications and conference presentations.
• Collaborate with other researchers at JPL and NASA centers.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in planetary science, physics, chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience with laboratory techniques relevant to clathrate hydrate studies (e.g., Raman spectroscopy, cryogenic systems).
• Strong analytical and computational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication.

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizens.
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa.
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. with a valid EAD card and pending I‑485 or I‑589 forms.

Application Deadline

November 1, 2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

How to Apply

Submit all applications through Zintellect. Follow the instructions on the NASA Postdoctoral Program website (How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program). The application packet must include a research proposal, three letters of recommendation, and official doctoral transcript documents.

Contact

[e-mail]

Suggested References

• Choukroun M., Kieffer S., Lu X., Tobie G. (2012). Clathrate Hydrates: implication for exchange processes in the outer Solar System. In: Science of Solar System Ices, 3rd Ed. Springer, New York, NJ.
• Choukroun M., Sotin C. (2012). Is Titan’s shape caused by its meteorology and carbon cycle? Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L04201.
• Turner N.J., Choukroun M., Castillo‑Rogez J.C., Bryden G. (2012). A hot gap around Jupiter’s orbit in the solar nebula. Astrophys. J., 748 92 doi:10.1088/0004-637X/748/2/92.
• Fortes A.D., Choukroun M. (2010). Phase behaviour of ices and hydrates. Space Sci. Rev., 153, 185-218, doi:10.1007/s11214-010-9633-3.
• Lunine J.I., Choukroun M., Stevenson D.J., Tobie G. (2009). The Origin and Evolution of Titan. In: Brown, R.H., Lebreton, J.-P., Waite, H. (Eds.), Titan from Cassini‑Huygens, Ch. 3, pp. 35-59.
• Choukroun M., Morizet Y., Grasset O. (2007). Raman study of methane clathrate hydrates under pressure: New evidence for metastability of structure II. J. Raman Spectrosc., 38, 440-451.