Mineralogy of Fine-Grained Extraterrestrial Materials

ORAU; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution seeks talented scientists for the NASA Postdoctoral Program in Houston, Texas. This prestigious program offers one- to three-year fellowships focused on advancing missions in various scientific fields, including cosmochemistry. Candidates must hold a doctoral degree and engage in innovative research surrounding extraterrestrial materials. Applications are submitted via Zintellect, and the deadline is November 1, 2026.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree required for participation in NASA Postdoctoral Program.
• Eligibility for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status if not U.S. citizen or LPR.

Responsibilities

• Engage in NASA research projects at NASA Center or affiliated institutes.
• Contribute to missions in space science, Earth science, and astrobiology.
• Examine extraterrestrial materials using advanced microscopy techniques.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0003-NPP-NOV26-JSC-Cosmochem

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.

The early history of the solar system is being explored through detailed characterization of the minerals and noncrystalline phases composing primitive extraterrestrial materials. As these materials are typically very fine grained, this research is being performed principally by analytical electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron back‑scattered diffraction, and synchrotron X‑ray microdiffraction. We are currently examining carbonaceous chondrites, interplanetary dust particles, asteroid Itokawa and comet Wild 2 grains, and fluid inclusions and primitive organics in meteorites.

Location

Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas

Field of Science

Cosmochemistry

Advisors

Michael Ewing Zolensky
[e-mail]
281-483-5128

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
• 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.