The Planetary Systems Laboratory at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is seeking a full-time Research Space Scientist to join our active Mars research group. The candidate will conduct research into the atmospheric composition of Mars, utilizing spectral and/or imaging data from spaceflight missions. Examples of such work include studying the Martian atmosphere’s composition and surface interactions. The candidate will work in an inclusive environment that prioritizes individual professional growth. This is a GS-13/14 level civil servant position located at NASA-Goddard in Greenbelt, Maryland near Washington, DC. You can apply for this position from now through Friday, June 3 – the maximum opening window we could obtain for this position. For more information and to apply please go to: go.usa.gov/xJxA6
Category: Mars
Planetary Instrument Postdoc
Postdoctoral Scholar in Climate of Exoplanets and/or Mars
The Department of the Geophysical Sciences at The University of Chicago seeks to hire a
postdoctoral scholar to support investigations of the habitability of exoplanets and/or Mars
through modeling of planetary atmosphere evolution and climate. The successful candidate
will work with Associate Professor Edwin Kite (sseh.uchicago.edu) to construct new models for
planetary atmosphere evolution and modify and run existing models of planetary climate.
Candidates should have a background in Planetary Science, Earth Science, or Astrophysics, and
have experience working with models including radiative transfer and/or planetary climate. An
early start date is preferred, however this is negotiable with the successful candidate.
The University of Chicago hosts a vibrant planets and exoplanets research program, with particular
emphasis on terrestrial and sub-Neptune exoplanets: https://geosci.uchicago.edu/planetaryscience-
planetary-atmospheres-and-exoplanets/,
https://astro.uchicago.edu/research/exoplanets.php.
Application materials should be received by July 4 for full consideration. Applicants should send
a CV, a brief description of research interests and experience, and a list of publications as a single
PDF file to [email protected]. Applicants should also arrange to have two letters of reference
sent to this email address. Please direct informal inquiries about this post to Edwin Kite
Initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year, and comes
with a competitive salary and generous benefits.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the
highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of
individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and
exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/
statements-diversity. The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal
Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an
individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected
classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of
Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the
application process should email
Section Manager, Planetary Sciences Section
The Planetary Sciences Section provides scientific leadership in planetary science and astrobiology, including small solar system bodies, life detection, and planetary habitability, via basic research, advanced instrumentation, and mission concept development. We are seeking a Section Manager, who will lead the Section Science Management Team, and report to the Science Division Manager. As the Section Manager, you will have the opportunity to interact and partner with NASA and with senior JPL leadership in representing the Section, and be responsible for defining and implementing the vision for the Section as an organization and as a planetary science and astrobiology research institution. In this role, you will develop deep knowledge on the multi-disciplinary work being done related to planetary science across the Lab and NASA, and forge new connections that will benefit both you, and the Section. This is a full-time position with a 0.7FTE commitment, and you will be expected to also maintain your active scientific work.
In this role, your responsibilities will include:
- Developing, aligning, and interfacing the needs of various research groups within the Laboratory’s overall Division 32 Charter.
- Representing the Section on scientific and technical committees and advisory boards, and Interfacing with the Laboratory’s management and NASA Program Offices.
- Developing comprehensive research and strategic plans that meet requirements and expectations of the Science Division, Solar System Exploration Program Directorate, and the NASA Planetary Science Division, to provide new and innovative opportunities for the research staff.
- Recruiting and developing an outstanding, diverse, and inclusive staff, consistent with the Lab’s programmatic and administrative goals.
- Working with Science and Business Management to facilitate all aspects of Section operations.
- Executing other ad-hoc assignments as assigned by Division Management.
Regular duties of the Science Management Team, as led by the Section Manager, include:
- Fostering a favorable and inclusive work and research environment with a focus on mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Reviewing and tracking proposals for internal and external research programs, as well as for competed instruments and missions.
- Reviewing and tracking professional products from the Section, including publications, presentations, and reports.
- Selecting and preparing research highlights representing science activities in the Section.
- Improving and implementing recruitment and hiring best practices for Affiliates, Postdocs, and Employees.
- Maintaining extensive familiarity with the professional work and expertise of Section members.
- Reviewing and acting on Ethics-related issues such as Outside Activity Requests and mitigation of conflicts of interest.
- Reviewing and overseeing Safety and Travel requests at the Section level.
- Representing the Section in Science Division, Solar System Exploration Directorate, and other programmatic, strategic, and hiring meetings.
- Representing the Section in professional training development activities and events.
- Preparing first drafts of agendas, reports, and nominations for awards and promotions.
Qualifications:
- Typically requires a PhD in Physical Science, Biological Science, Engineering or Mathematics or similar disciplines, with a minimum of 8 years related experience.
- Minimum of 4 years of demonstrated supervisory or management experience with Line, Program, or Project organizations.
- Multidisciplinary knowledge in Planetary Sciences and Astrobiology, with a proven track record in developing, defining, and implementing an independent scientific research program.
- Demonstrated scientific bona fides through an extensive publication record.
- Demonstrated ability to secure competed external funding.
- Demonstrated commitment to mentorship.
- Highly developed leadership ability and teamwork skills, with proficiency in one or more of decision-making and delegation, change management, strategy development, and financial/cost management.
- Has knowledge of industry and/or academic practices in support of diversity, equity and inclusion related to Planetary Science and Astrobiology research, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing improvements in this area.
Desired Skills:
- Established experience and commitment to developing or supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
- Experience working with JPL Program Directorates.
- Expert knowledge of Laboratory and NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations across a range of applications.
- Knowledge of NASA HQ and Center science Programs/Projects and management practices and procedures.
Applications received by June 3, 2022, will receive full consideration.
Research Scientist, Origin of life/Prebiotic Chemistry
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology invites applications for a staff Scientist in the Laboratory Studies group in the Planetary Science Section at JPL. In this position, you will conduct origin of life/prebiotic chemistry experimental studies and related astrobiology research. You will also participate in mission formulation activities, with an emphasis on mission concepts involving Ocean Worlds and Mars life detection/habitability. It is expected that the successful candidate will develop an independently funded research program and will pursue new lines of research focusing on experimental origin of life research and life detection. You will be expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals and give talks at national and international conferences.
This position requires the following qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Chemistry with focus on synthetic organic and/or organometallic chemistry or related technical or scientific discipline
- Experience with experimentation on and analysis of complex organic biological molecules in a planetary context, including mineral / metal driven catalysis of organics.
- Experience in the design, construction and operation of novel experimental systems to address astrobiology questions, esp. high pressure systems; Experience with sample handling and analysis of oxygen sensitive materials.
- Demonstrated professional reputation as a productive researcher with a track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and/or international conferences
- Familiarity with/ongoing participation in the astrobiology community, and in relating experimental studies and techniques to mission relevant strategic efforts
The following qualifications are preferred:
- 3-5 years of related post-doc experience
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team of experimental scientists
- Experience coordinating experiments and analysis between institutes / NASA centers / local universities and non-profits
- History of writing successful external research funding proposals
- Excellent oral (including public speaking) and written communication skills
To view the full description of this unique opportunity and apply, please visit: https://citjpl.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Jobs/job/JPL-Campus/Research-Scientist–Origin-of-life-Prebiotic-Chemistry_R1926.
Applications received by April 25, 2022, will receive full consideration.
Mars 2020 Postdoc
The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science at Purdue University has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Mastcam-Z team on the Perseverance rover, part of the Mars 2020 mission, to conduct geological investigations using Mastcam-Z images and multispectral data in concert with other payload and remote sensing datasets. Possible investigation topics include but are not limited to igneous, fluvial, and impact processes, as well as diagenesis and alteration, as observed in Jezero crater and through regional and global context studies. The postdoc would also support Mastcam-Z and project-level operations roles and actively participate in collaborative team scientific activities. A PhD in geology, planetary science, or a closely related field is required. Experience in reflectance spectroscopy or remote sensing data analysis is preferred. The position is available immediately and is expected to run for 2 years pending availability of funding. A background check is required for employment in this position. The position will remain open until filled.
Please direct all questions to Prof. Briony Horgan ([email protected]). Applications should include a CV, the names and contact information of 3 professional references, and a cover letter summarizing relevant past experience for the position and why you are interested in the position.
Purdue University is an EEO/AA employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.
Research Fellow in numerical modelling
Working in this role includes numerical modelling in geophysics and geology applied to numerical simulation and visualization of crater formation process, using the state-of-the-art 2D and 3D modelling techniques available at Curtin. Your role will be to numerically simulate crater formation process on Mars, the Earth and Moon to better understand the structure and evolution of lunar and planetary crusts. Numerical validation can be made with publicly available data, including the latest research associated with NASA’s InSight mission, currently operating on Mars. This project is aimed to bridge the gap between observations and modelling, and understand craters on terrestrial bodies in the context of future exploration and exploitation specific to impact crater sites.
In this position, you will be part of an ARC Future Fellowship team that will sustain and enhance international collaboration with a number of world-class groups that participate in the NASA InSight mission. The project also introduces and extends collaborations with impact specialists, crater experts, and lunar and planetary geophysics specialists around the world, covering diverse areas of Earth and planetary science.
You will also supervise students, giving you the opportunity to further develop your supervisory experience. You will also be free to take up a topic of your choosing and continue developing your own research portfolio in addition to the allocated tasks. There may be an opportunity to gain some undergraduate teaching experience as well.
UCLA faculty position opening in experimental space-planetary plasma interactions
The UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences (EPSS) is accepting applications for a tenure-track/tenured faculty position in Space Physics at any rank/level. We encourage applicants from all sub-disciplines of space physics to apply, but we are particularly interested in candidates in the area of experimental space physics pertaining to the interaction of small solar system bodies, moons, or planets with solar winds or flowing plasmas (e.g., at asteroids, Mars, Uranus, or Galilean satellites). Apply here: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF06572 Reviews will commence on November 1, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.
We welcome applicants whose experience in research, teaching, and community/collegial service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to excellence and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Candidates are expected to hold a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field by the date of hire, July 1, 2022. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Postdoctoral Fellow in Mars Data Assimilation
The National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, UAE, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Mars Data Assimilation. The anticipated start date is the beginning of 2022, for an initial period of two years. Review of applications will begin on 1 October 2021.
The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) arrived at Mars in February 2021. Its unique orbit and viewing geometry make it an ideal platform to use data assimilation to combine observations with Mars General Circulation Model (GCM) simulations. The purpose of this position is to expand an existing data assimilation scheme to also assimilate aerosol and trace gas data (dust, water ice, water vapour, and ozone) from EMM’s instruments, primarily data from the thermal infrared Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer, but also from the visible/UV Emirates eXploration Imager. The aim is to assimilate as many datasets from EMM’s instruments simultaneously, to produce complete climate states that incorporate all of EMM’s lower atmosphere observations.
The postdoc will have some freedom to develop this research as they like, within the bounds of what has been done already. They will be expected to use the obtained data products to perform independent research on open science questions related to Mars’ atmosphere. NSSTC will also require the successful candidate to devote some of their time to its operational Earth Observation objectives, based on personal experience and expertise.
The assimilation scheme is based on the LETKF and uses the LMD Mars GCM, with previous work using observations from ExoMars-TGO-ACS and NASA-MRO-MCS. An ideal candidate will already have experience with some or all of these instruments and methods.
The position offers a competitive monthly tax-free salary, an excellent medical insurance package for the applicant and their family, and travel funds.
Applications should be made via https://jobs.uaeu.ac.ae. Information about the NSSTC Planetary Science group can be found at https://rolandyoung.bitbucket.io/research-group.html.
Postdoctoral Researcher
The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, TX, run by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Radiative Transfer Modeling in Planetary Atmospheres.
The selected candidate will join Dr. Germán Martínez’ group on the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) science team of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission, and will lead analyses of measurements made by the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), one of the six environmental sensors comprising MEDA. TIRS is the first in situ Martian infrared radiometer including upward- and downward-looking channels, and it will measure the upward and downward thermal infrared radiation at the surface, the reflected solar radiation at the surface, the surface brightness temperature, and the near-surface vertical temperature profile. To gain a broader insight into space missions and to expand their network, the selected candidate will participate in operations planning for the MEDA instrument, as well as in weekly science meetings with members from other instruments. To enrich their background in preparation for the next working stage, the selected candidate will be encouraged to propose for external funding and participate in NASA grant review panels. Moreover, the selected candidate is expected to contribute to public engagement events at the LPI.
Applicants should have a recent Ph.D. in Planetary Science, Physics, or a related field. The selected candidate will contribute to the development of a numerical model capable of spectrally simulating longwave radiation fluxes at the Martian surface to maximize the scientific return of TIRS’ measurements, in particular of the downward thermal infrared radiation at the surface (i.e., the atmospheric thermal forcing). The selected candidate will lead their own investigations, as well as collaborate with others within Dr. Martínez’ group. Required expertise includes proficiency in a common radiative-transfer programming language (e.g., IDL, MATLAB, Fortran), and a publication record in relevant or similar studies. Previous experience with Mars-related research is preferred, but not required.
The position is for two years with a possible one-year extension.
Interested applicants should apply to the posting at https://www.usra.edu/careers; application material submitted outside of this platform will not be considered. The required application material includes: (1) cover letter evidencing the qualifications of the applicant to this position, (2) curriculum vitae with list of publications, (3) two- to three-page statement of research interests and plans describing the candidate’s expected independent research program at the LPI, and (4) list of at least three professional references. Application material should be uploaded as a single document. Review of candidates will begin immediately; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Questions can be addressed to Dr. Germán Martínez ([email protected]).
Regards,
Germán