Category: Data Processing

MARS POSTDOC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

Posted on
Current state: Approved
Department: Department of Geophysical Sciences
City: Chicago
State/Province: IL
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Edwin Kite
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Chicago
Application Due Date: Saturday, December 20 2014
Web Link: http://geosci.uchicago.edu/~kite

The Department of the Geophysical Sciences at The University of Chicago seeks to hire a postdoctoral researcher to support investigations of the early climate of Mars through analysis of Mars topography and forward modeling of topographic change. The successful candidate will work with Assistant Professor Edwin Kite to assemble, analyze, and model crater-modification and crater-infilling datasets. Candidates should have a background in Planetary Science, Earth Science, or Astrophysics, and have experience working with large datasets. Experience with Mars is helpful but is not required. Start date is flexible. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to develop a program of independent research aligned with the objectives of the group (as exemplified by the projects listed at http://geosci.uchicago.edu/~kite/proposals/), as well as to mentor undergraduate students. The University of Chicago hosts a vibrant planets and exoplanets research program, with particular emphasis on potentially habitable planets: http://geosci.uchicago.edu/planetary-science-planetary-atmospheres-and-e… Application materials should be received by December 20 for full consideration. Applicants should send a CV, a brief description of research interests and experience, and the names of three referees as a single PDF file to [email protected]. Please direct informal inquiries about this post to Edwin Kite ([email protected]).

MAVEN Postdoctoral Researcher in Mars Magnetic Fields

Posted on
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory (GSFC); Dept. of Astronomy (UMD)
City: Greenbelt
State/Province: MD
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Tracy Huard
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: NASA-GSFC/CRESST/University of Maryland
Application Due Date: Monday, September 01 2014
Web Link: http://www.astro.umd.edu/employment/#MAVEN

Applications are now being accepted for a Postdoctoral Research Associate, funded through the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST), to work in the Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) investigating Mars magnetic fields using data from the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission.

The MAVEN spacecraft arrives at Mars in September 2014. MAVEN will study the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, atmospheric interaction with the Sun and solar wind, and the loss of atmosphere to space. Collaborating onsite at GSFC with scientists in the Solar System Exploration Division, the candidate will work directly with the Magnetometer Investigation, participating in data analysis and scientific studies, leading to publication of results in scientific journals.

The MAVEN primary mission will last one Earth year from the start of the science mapping phase in November, with an expectation that there may be an extended mission.  The appointment will be initially for one year, with the possibility of renewal in subsequent years.  Applicants may be at first year post-doc level or may be more senior.

Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline with experience conducting scientific research related to the Maven science objectives or the types of instruments included in the MAVEN science payload. Disciplined IDL and Fortran programming skills, demonstrated scientific writing ability, and experience in acquisition and analysis of data (especially magnetometer data) from space flight instruments are highly desirable.

Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Each applicant should send a Curriculum Vita, list of publications, statement of research interests, and contact information for three references to:

MAVEN
CRESST/UMCP
Mail Code 660.8, NASA/GSFC
Greenbelt, MD 20771, or
Via e-mail to [email protected]

Information regarding the MAVEN mission is found at http://lasp.colorado.edu/maven and www.nasa.gov/maven. Information on the Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory is found at http://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/solarsystem/magnetospheres. For information on CRESST and the University of Maryland’s Department of Astronomy, please contact Tracy Huard ([email protected]). The position is available immediately.

The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer. All applications received by September 1, 2014 will receive full consideration.

Jovian Magnetic Field and Magnetosphere Post-doc Researchers

Posted on
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory (GSFC); Dept. of Astronomy (UMD)
City: Greenbelt
State/Province: MD
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Tracy Huard
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: NASA-GSFC/CRESST/University of Maryland
Application Due Date: Friday, September 26 2014
Web Link: http://www.astro.umd.edu/employment/#Juno

Applications are now being accepted for a Postdoctoral Research Associate, funded through the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST), to work in the Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in the area of Jupiter’s magnetic field and magnetosphere, using data from the Juno (New Frontier) mission.

The Juno spacecraft arrives at Jupiter in July 2016. Juno is the first spacecraft to explore Jupiter from a close-in, polar orbit, seeking to unlock secrets about its origin and the origin of the solar system. Juno will probe deep into Jupiter’s interior by mapping the giant planet’s magnetic and gravity fields, peering well below the clouds to determine atmospheric composition, with particular interest in water abundance. Juno will also conduct a study of the polar magnetosphere and auroral phenomena, with fields and particles instruments and both infrared and ultraviolet spectrometers among the payload. Juno’s Magnetic Field Investigation (MAG) employs two identical measurement platforms occupying a 4-meter magnetometer boom mounted at the outer end of one of Juno’s three solar arrays. Each MAG optical bench supports a high-accuracy vector fluxgate magnetometer and a pair of star camera sensors for precision inertial attitude reference. These data and the global coverage of Jupiter provided by the mission plan will result in a detailed model of the Jovian internal field and an unprecedented view of the dynamo.

The selectee will work on site at GSFC in the Solar System Exploration Division as a member of the Juno Magnetometer Investigation Team, participating in data analysis and scientific studies, leading to publication of results in scientific journals. Candidates for this position should have a Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline with prior experience conducting scientific research.  Experience with magnetometer instrumentation and data, disciplined programming skills (primarily Fortran and IDL), and scientific writing experience are desired.  

The appointment will be initially for one year, with the possibility of renewal in subsequent years.  Applicants may be new postdocs or may be more senior.  Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Each applicant should send a Curriculum Vita, list of publications, statement of research interests, and contact information for three references to:

Juno Magnetometer
CRESST/UMCP
Mail Code 660.8, NASA/GSFC
Greenbelt, MD  20771, or
Via e-mail to [email protected]

Information regarding the Juno mission is found at http://missionjuno.swri.edu/ and http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/main/ .  Information on the Planetary Magnetospheres Laboratory is found at http://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/solarsystem/magnetospheres/ .  For information on CRESST and the UMCP’s Department of Astronomy, please contact Tracy Huard ([email protected]).  The position will remain open until filled.

The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer.  All applications received by September 26, 2014 will receive full consideration.

Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Scholar at Caltech/JPL

Posted on
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
City: Pasadena
State/Province: CA
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Paul Hayne
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: California Institute of Technology
Application Due Date: Monday, December 02 2013
Web Link: http://kiss.caltech.edu/fellowships/

Caltech’s Keck Institute for Space Studies is accepting applications for a postdoctoral position in the field of planetary science in connection with an ongoing study entitled “New Approaches to Lunar Ice Detection and Mapping” (link). The objective of the project will be to collect and compare available spacecraft and telescope remote sensing data with the goal of forming a coherent picture of the distribution and nature of lunar ice deposits to help guide future exploration activities. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Planetary Science, Physics, Astronomy or related fields, and have experience working with large multidimensional datasets. The successful applicant will be based at either Caltech campus or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

For more information about the KISS postdoctoral program, and to apply, see: http://kiss.caltech.edu/fellowships/

To request information on the lunar ice study and postdoctoral
opportunity, contact: Paul Hayne ([email protected])

Research Associate

Posted on
Current state: Approved
Department: Astronomy
City: Ithaca
State/Province: NY
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Joseph A. Burns/ Philip D. Nicholson
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Cornell University
Application Due Date: Thursday, August 15 2013

  We invite applications for a position as a Research Associate at Cornell University. This will support investigations into planetary ring processes, in particular the planning and analysis of imaging and IR observations obtained by the Cassini mission. Our specific interests lie in structural and dynamical processes of Saturn’s rings, including its main and faint rings and small satellites. Candidates must have a PhD in planetary science, astronomy or physics.
The initial appointment is for a year, but is renewable for at least an additional year. Review of applications will begin August 15, 2013, and the position will remain open until filled. Start date is fall 2013.
Please submit a resume, a 1-page statement of research experience and interests, and names of three references.Cornell is an EEO/AA/Title IX/Section 504/ADA employer.

Geospatial Data & Web Applications Engineer

Posted on
Current state: Approved
Department: Intelligent Robotics Group
City: Mountain View
State/Province: California
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Ross Beyer
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: NASA Ames Research Center, SGT, Inc.
Application Due Date: Saturday, June 01 2013
Web Link: http://tinyurl.com/cowvmou

Want to help NASA map Mars, the Moon, and Earth? Want to bring NASA’s enormous wealth of planetary science and exploration data to a wide global audience? Want to help change the way planetary scientists collaborate and share their discoveries?

The NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group (irg.arc.nasa.gov) has an immediate opening for a full-time data engineer / software developer to help create next generation planetary data systems and automated geospatial processing pipelines. This is a high-profile, high-impact opportunity to co-develop software that will make a difference in how we explore space and communicate our discoveries to the general public

Applicants should hold a B.S. in Computer Science (or equivalent work experience) and have excellent software engineering and system development skills. Requirements:

– 2+ years experience managing data with a geospatial component.
– 3+ years experience with software application or web service development
– Expert level experience with Linux software development
– Fluency in Python or another dynamically typed programming language
– Deep experience in JavaScript development, including use of an MV* web application framework such as Backbone.js
– Experience with the KML Specification for geographic data visualization

Knowledge of the following is greatly preferred:
– A maps-oriented Javascript API (e.g. Google Maps, Google Earth, OpenLayers, or Leaflet)
– An MVC application framework (e.g. Django)
– RESTful Web service architecture
– Projecting and manipulating geospatial data using libraries such as GEOS, Proj4, and/or GDAL
– The OGC Web Mapping Service (WMS) standard

To apply, please send:
– a cover letter with the following information:
– Why are you interested in this position?
– Why are you well-suited for this position?
– Some detail on the type and scale of projects you have worked on and platforms, languages, libraries that you have used
– What software design / engineering methods are you familiar with? Note: if you have contributed to open-source projects, please provide URL(s).
– a detailed resume (PDF or text)
– contact details for two (or more) references

to Debbie Guzman <[email protected]>

The NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group (IRG, http://irg.arc.nasa.gov) is dedicated to enabling humans and robots to explore and learn about extreme environments, remote locations, and uncharted worlds. IRG conducts applied research in a wide range of areas with an emphasis on robotics systems science and field testing. IRG’s expertise includes applied computer vision (navigation, planetary mapping, automated science support), interactive 3D user interfaces, robot software architecture, and planetary rovers.