Category: Laboratory

Postdoc – Mars Science Laboratory rover mission

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
City: West Lafayette
State/Province: IN
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Briony Horgan
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Purdue University
Application Due Date: Friday, May 06 2016

The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Mars geochemistry and mineralogy. The successful candidate will join Prof. Briony Horgan and the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover science team starting in August/September 2016.

Duties will include laboratory analyses of terrestrial analog samples, processing and analysis of MSL data, participation in MSL operations and team activities, and processing and analysis of Mars orbital datasets.

Eligibility: All applicants must have a PhD in the field of geology or planetary science. U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident status is also required per federal regulations.  Expertise in geochemistry, mineralogy, or spectroscopy is preferred.

A background check is required for employment in this position. Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer.  All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

For further information, please send your CV to Briony Horgan, [email protected], by May 6, 2016.

Experimental Planetary Sciences (EPS)

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Planetary Sciences Section
City: Pasadena
State/Province: California
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Dr. Murthy Gudipati
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Application Due Date: Thursday, December 31 2015

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Postdoctoral Scholars Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in JPL’s Ice Spectroscopy Laboratory (ISL).

The research will involve laboratory simulations to understand surface processes on icy bodies such as Europa and on Titan. Dr. Murthy Gudipati (Principal Scientist), in JPL’s Planetary Sciences Section, will serve as JPL postdoctoral advisor to the selected candidate. Candidates should have a recent PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Planetary Science, or related scientific area with a strong background in advanced laboratory physical chemistry/chemical physics . Experience in planetary sciences, astrochemistry, and astrobiology is highly desirable. Candidates who have received their PhD within the past five years since the date of their application are eligible. This positions is for one-year and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years based on performance and availability of funds. Arrange for 2-3 letters of reference letters to be sent to:

 

Dr. Murthy Gudipati (+1-818-354-2637)

E-Mail: murthy.gudipati(at)jpl.nasa.gov

Caltech and JPL are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers. Women, minorities, veterans, and disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

Post-doctoral Research Associate

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
City: Flagstaff
State/Province: AZ
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Dr Henry Roe
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Lowell Observatory
Application Due Date: Monday, December 15 2014
Web Link: http://www.lowell.edu/documents/jobs/Post%20Doctoral%20Research%20Associate%202014-22.pdf

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position at Lowell Observatory to work on an investigation of solids and liquids in the outer solar system, in particular relating to the surfaces of Titan and Kuiper Belt Objects. The project links theory, laboratory experiments, and observations. This postdoc position will focus on laboratory experiments in the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Astrophysical Ice Lab, but will include opportunities to work on observations and theory as well.  This position will be co-supervised by Drs. Henry Roe and Will Grundy. 

The initial appointment is for three years with an additional two year extension expected based on performance. The start date is negotiable, but preferably in early 2015. This position is funded by a 5-year grant from the John and Maureen Hendricks Charitable Foundation and comes with a competitive salary and full benefits, including relocation. Additional funding is available for research resources, such as lab and computer equipment, attending conferences, or other research-related travel.

For more information see:
http://www.lowell.edu/about_jobs.php
http://www.lowell.edu/documents/jobs/Post%20Doctoral%20Research%20Associ…

Applications received by 15-Dec-2014 will be given full consideration. Later applications will be considered until the position is filled.

PhD position at University of Bern: Laboratory Analogue for the Surface of Icy Moons

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Current state: Approved
City: Bern
Category: , ,
Country: Switzerland
Contact Person: Peter Wurz
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Bern
Application Due Date: Sunday, August 31 2014
Web Link: http://eth-gethired.ch/jobs/pdf/28435/phd_position_laboratory_studies_of_the_surfaces_of_icy_moons_5/de

The vast majority of celestial objects in our outer solar system are bodies with icy surfaces (ice
moons, Trans-Neptunian Objects, and comets). The surface of these objects directly interacts
with the space environment and thus is open to in-situ or remote sensing investigation. The
upcoming JUICE mission of ESA to the Galilean moons Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto will
allow us to sample directly the particles ejected from the surface. However, many surface
properties (e.g., sputter yield and chemical composition of ejecta) are still poorly known. This
limits the quality of surface and exosphere models and thus poses a problem for the
interpretation of existing observations and for the instrument design for JUICE.

The position is for an experimentalist to simulate processes that are relevant for the icy
surfaces of satellites: radiation with ions, electrons, and UV photons of pure water ice and
mixtures. The goal of this PhD position is to provide the ejection efficiency and the chemical
and energetic distribution of ejecta for the case of ions, UV photons, and electrons impacting an
ice surface. Characterising the sample with an IR-spectrometer and the evolution of
photometric properties as a response to irradiation will complement the analysis. The PhD
student will be part of the PEP (Particle Environment Package) team of the JUICE mission and
will collaborate with the engineering team to help optimise the design of the flight hardware.

We are looking for a talented and motivated person who enjoys experimental physics.
Experience with electronics, vacuum instrumentation, ice samples, and mass spectrometry
would be of advantage but is not required. The PhD position is funded for 4 years. Salary is
according to regulations by the Swiss National Science Foundation. For further information of
our department visit our web page athttp://space.unibe.ch/.

Interested applicants should send their curriculum (including professional experience), a one
page motivation letter, the contact details of up to three reference persons, and the grades
obtained at the Master level to Prof. Peter Wurz ([email protected]). Applications
should be sent until 31 August 2014. The starting date of the position is October 2014, but is
negotiable.

 

Research Scientist / Laboratory Manager

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Current state: Approved
City: Huntsville
State/Province: Alabama
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Barbara A. Cohen
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Alabama Huntsville / NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Application Due Date: Tuesday, September 30 2014
Web Link: http://uah.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=50487

The University of Alabama Huntsville and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center invite applications for a laboratory manager responsible for routine operation and maintenance of the MSFC Noble Gas Research Laboratory (MNGRL). A PhD or MS in the physical sciences, experience in mass spectrometry (noble gas and/or ICPMS, TIMS, etc.), and ultra-high vacuum laboratory operations are required. Salary is $67,151-$85,000 per year depending on qualifications; initial appointment is for 1 year with renewal based on performance and availability of funding. Applications will be reviewed beginning Sept 2 until position is filled. Apply online at http://uah.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=50487.

Masters Students in exoplanet materials

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Physics, Astronomy, & Materials Science
City: Springfield
State/Province: Missouri
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: David Cornelison
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Missouri State University
Application Due Date: Thursday, December 31 2015
Web Link: http://physics.missouristate.edu/MaterialsScience/

The Department of Physics, Astronomy, & Materials Science at Missouri State University invites applications for Masters level graduate students to  assist in observational and laboratory studies of exoplanet materials.  The graduate program is in the field of Materials Science, or Natural and Applied Science with a thesis in the area
of exoplanet materials.  Our research group has paid research assistantships available. In our laboratory, we are recreating constituents of hot, rocky, exoplanets and measuring the optical properties. Graduate students could begin during Fall Semester 2014 or Spring Semester 2015. Information concerning course work is available at
http://physics.missouristate.edu/MaterialsScience/ or
http://cnas.missouristate.edu/mnas/default.asp.
        Missouri State University is not a Ph.D. granting institution. Information about our Graduate College and programs is available at http://graduate.missouristate.edu/
Funding for these positions is through December 2015

Post-Doctoral Position at Univ. Hawaii

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Current state: Approved
Department: Chemistry
City: Manoa
State/Province: Hawaii
Category: ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Brant Jones
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Hawaii
Application Due Date: Sunday, June 01 2014
Web Link: http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/Bil301/welcome.html

One postdoctoral position in experimental physical chemistry and chemical physics (reaction dynamics, astrobiology, astrochemistry) is open at the Department of Chemistry, University
of Hawai’i at Manoa, for the period of initially one year to investigate the evolution of organics under a simulated Martian environment. The salary is competitive and commensurate
with experience ranging from $ 39,000 to $ 45,000.  Successful applicants should have a strong back-ground in experimental reaction dynamics, surface scattering, UHV technology, and
VUV laser systems, optical spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman, UVVIS), and gas phase detection techniques (time-of-flight and quadrupole mass analyzer). Programming experience in C, labview,
and/or autocad and knowledge in the generation of tunable UVVUV radiation is desirable. The prime directive of this research project is to investigate the chemical fate of molecules
in the extreme environments representative of the surface of Mars. Solid communication skills in English (written and oral) and a strong publication record in internationally
circulated, peer-reviewed journals are mandatory. Only self-motivated and energetic candidates are encouraged to apply; please send a letter of interest, three letters of
recommendation, CV, which includes a publication list to Brant Jones ([email protected]), Department of Chemistry & W.M. Keck Research laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of
Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822-2275, USA. Only complete, electronic applications in pdf format will be considered. The review of applications will startJune 1, 2014, with an
expected start state of September 2014. A description of the current research group can be found at http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/Bil301/welcome.html and 
http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/Bil301/KLA.html.
 
Forwarded by :
Brant Jones ([email protected])