Origin and evolution of lunar volatiles

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA offers the Postdoctoral Program (NPP) fellowships to talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at an affiliated institute.

Research will cover lunar volatiles, solar system origins, and planetary science using instruments like electron microscopy and mass spectrometry, with modeling as needed. Collaborative work with advisors is encouraged and the program spans one to three years.

Qualifications

• Broad experience working with meteorites, mission samples, or close analogs.
• Independent user of at least one laboratory instrument (e.g., electron microscope or mass spectrometer) is preferred.
• If focused on modeling, hands-on lab experience is not required, but proficiency in at least one programming language is expected.

Responsibilities

• Engage in NASA research projects across centers or affiliated institutes.
• Contribute to lunar volatile studies and broader planetary science questions using multiple analytical approaches.

Skills

Meteorite sample experience

Programming language proficiency

Education

Doctoral Degree

Tools

Electron microscope

Mass spectrometer

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0300-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-PlanetSci

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.

Studies of astromaterials, including meteorites and samples returned by missions, enable deeper understanding of the origin and evolution of the solar system. The physical and chemical makeup of these samples record properties and processes including the presolar environment, nebular reservoirs from which planetary bodies formed, accretion, impact events, differentiation, volcanism, and space weathering. All of these factors played a role in establishing the volatile composition of the Moon. Understanding the origin and evolution of these volatiles is fundamental to understanding the history of life on Earth and is critical for in situ resource utilization as humanity seeks to build a sustained presence beyond low Earth orbit. Volatiles are also central to the lunar and planetary science goals of NASA’s Moon to Mars program.

Research projects to better understand lunar volatiles and their solar system origins can include mineralogic and petrologic studies, geochemistry (one or more of elements, isotopes, organics), experimental analogs, or modeling. Techniques may include but are not limited to electron microscopy, X-ray computed tomography, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Projects may also be conducted that align with the goals of sample return missions, such as Artemis, Mars Sample Return, or future comet/asteroid/moon sample return concepts; such projects would primarily focus on fundamental science questions and may or may not lead to direct connection to any given mission.

The interdisciplinary nature of this work provides opportunity for candidates with diverse scientific backgrounds. Similarly, developing a better understanding of the Moon’s endogenous vs exogenous volatiles will require many threads of research, so candidates may address or have experience in broader questions of formation, accretion and transport of primitive materials such as asteroids and comets, or of volatiles in early lunar/planetary igneous processes.

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

Andrew Needham

[e-mail]

[phone]

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.

• 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

Qualifications

Broad experience working with meteorites, mission samples, or close analogs (terrestrial samples, experimental petrology).

Independent user of at least one type of laboratory instrument, such as an electron microscope or mass spectrometer, is preferred. For candidates focused on modeling, hands-on lab experience is not required, but the candidate should be fully proficient in at least one programming language.

Questions about this opportunity? Please email [e-mail]

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.