POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER - Lucy Mission Spectral Investigations - Boulder, Co

Southwest Research Institute; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, CO is seeking a PhD-level planetary scientist to participate in Lucy mission investigations of LEISA spectral data and related laboratory work. The role involves collaborative work within the Lucy Surface Composition Working Group, attending science team meetings, and assisting in downlink and data processing to support instrument, science, and archive teams.

An initial 1-year term with the potential to extend is offered, with salary in the range of

Qualifications

• Requires a PhD in Planetary Science, Physics, or Geology.
• 1 year of experience with visible and/or near-infrared spectroscopy and data reduction.
• Peer-reviewed publication record and collaborative experience.

Responsibilities

• Participate in Lucy mission investigations of spectral data from LEISA (1-4 µm).
• Attend Lucy Science Team meetings and conferences to present results.
• Assist in processing instrument data with Science Operations Center teams.
• Analyze LEISA data and contribute to spectral data projection onto asteroid shape models.

Skills

Spectroscopy data analysis

Scientific programming (Python, IDL)

Collaborative research

Education

PhD in Planetary Science, Physics, or Geology

Tools

Python

IDL

Laboratory reflectance spectroscopy

Job description

Who We Are:

A world-class multidisciplinary group of Solar System professionals, who are unlocking the mysteries of planetary system formation and evolution via theoretical studies and space exploration.

Objectives of this Role:

Participate in Lucy mission investigations of spectral data from the L'Ralph instrument, particularly its LEISA (1-4 µm) infrared spectrometer.Possible experimental data collection from meteorites and terrestrial samples using laboratory equipment.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Work within the Lucy Surface Composition Working Group.
• Attend Lucy Science Team meetings, and conferences to present Lucy data.
• Work with the Science Operations Center downlink team in processing instrument data for use by instrument, science, and archive teams.
• Analyze and interpret LEISA data from the Trojan asteroid flybys, including contributing to data reduction and projection of spectral data onto asteroid shape models.

Requirements:

• Requires a PhD in Planetary Science, Physics, or Geology.
• 1 years: Experience with visible and/or near-infrared spectroscopy, imaging spectroscopy, including spectral data reduction, analysis, and interpretation.
• 1 years: Experience with laboratory reflectance spectroscopy would be advantageous and proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python. IDL).
• Have a peer-reviewed publication record.
• Experience in a collaborative working environment.

Special Requirements:

Work assignment is in Boulder, Colorado. This is a 1 year limited term assignment with an option to extend. Job Locations: Boulder, Colorado Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.

For more information about this division, visit the Solar System Science & Exploration home page.