Category: Surface Geology

ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

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Department: Space Science & Operations
City: Madrid or Noordwijk
Category: , , , ,
Country: Spain or Netherlands
Contact Person: Guido De Marchi
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: European Space Agency
Application Due Date: Friday, April 30 2021
Web Link: http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

To increase the scientific return from its space science missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes applications from scientists interested in pursuing research projects based on data publicly available in the ESA Space Science Archives (http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc). 

The ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme is open to scientists, at all career levels, affiliated with institutes in ESA Member States and Collaborating States. Early-career scientists (within 10 years of the PhD) are particularly encouraged to apply. PhD students are also welcome to apply through their supervisors.

During their stay, visiting scientists will have access to archives and mission specialists for help with the retrieval, calibration, and analysis of archival data. In principle, all areas of space research covered by ESA science missions can be supported.

Residence lasts typically between one and three months, also distributed over multiple visits. Research projects can be carried out at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) and at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). To offset the expenses incurred by visitors, ESA covers travel costs from and to the home institution and provides support for lodging expenses and meals.

Applications received before 30 April 2021 will be considered for visits in autumn/winter (2021/2022).

For further details, including areas of research and contact information, please refer to:

http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

or write to the programme coordinators at [email protected] 

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Planetary Sciences

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Department: Astronomy
City: College Park
State/Province: Maryland
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Tony Farnham / Jessica Sunshine
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Maryland
Application Due Date: Tuesday, May 18 2021

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Planetary Sciences

The Small Bodies Group in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland, College Park invites applications for up to two Postdoctoral Research Associate positions to work with Tony Farnham and Jessica Sunshine on studies involving the composition and evolution of small bodies in the Solar System.  Specific topics of interest include:

  • Sublimation processes and modeling to investigate the evolution of cometary surfaces.
  • Modeling and/or simulation of granular flows in microgravity environments.
  • Mapping the distribution of organics on Ceres.

Desired skills include experience with the reduction and analysis of spacecraft imaging and spectral data, development and execution of computer simulations, knowledge of spectroscopy, and/or experience in interpreting morphologic features.

The UMD Small Bodies Group specializes in remote sensing observations, both ground-based and space-based, and theoretical modeling, primarily of comets, asteroids, and the Moon. Our group has been involved with multiple spacecraft missions and instrument teams, including Deep Impact, EPOXI, Chandrayaan-1, Dawn, Rosetta, Stardust NExT, Lucy and DART. We are also at the forefront in using current and upcoming facilities to study small bodies, including JWST, TESS, LSST, LDT and numerous other ground-based observatories. UMD also operates the Small Bodies Node of NASA’s Planetary Data System, which maintains all mission data related to small bodies in the Solar System.

Candidates for this position should have a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, Planetary Science or a related field, which must be obtained by the time of the start date.  We recognize that strength comes through diversity and actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We encourage women and minority candidates to apply.

Those interested in applying should send a CV, a short statement (no more than 2 pages) of research goals and their experience related to the above topics and arrange for three letters of reference to be sent electronically to: [email protected].  The positions will remain open until filled.

The appointment(s) will be for two years with a possible third year extension based on performance and funding availability. Requests for additional information should be sent to [email protected].

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Postdoctoral Researcher (Visiting) (Center for Lunar Science)

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Current state: Approved
Department: Center for Lunar Science and Exploration
City: Houston
State/Province: Texas
Category: , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: David Kring
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Lunar and Planetary Institute
Application Due Date: Thursday, December 31 2020
Web Link: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=f03960f2-20cd-4828-9ae5-415eefc7072e&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=371640&lang=en_US&source=CC4

The Universities Space Research Association’s Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), invites applications for postdoctoral fellowships in lunar science and exploration for full-time exempt positions in the Houston, Texas area. The successful candidate will join Dr. David A. Kring and over two dozen other scientists in the Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, which is one of twelve national centers of excellence supported by NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. The main goals of the Center’s activities are to address NASA’s highest lunar exploration science objectives, including activities in preparation of robotic and crewed landings. 

Applications from those with recent Ph.D.s (including those to be awarded at the end of the Spring 2020 semester) in the fields of remote sensing, petrology, and stable isotope geochemistry are encouraged to apply. 

In the field of remote sensing, the successful candidate will work at LPI, conduct high-priority science investigations and provide input needed for lunar surface missions.  In the field of petrology and stable isotope geochemistry, the successful candidate will work at the LPI and use analytical facilities at the adjacent NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and two collaborating universities to assess the abundances and evolution of volatiles in lunar samples. 

USRA offers a competitive salary and benefits package. If there are any questions about the science and exploration involved in the positions, please contact Dr. David A. Kring ([email protected]).

Interested applicants should apply to the posting at USRA Careers and must submit a curriculum vita with list of publications, a two to three-page statement of research interests, and a list of three references. There is no firm application deadline, although a review of applications will begin March 1, 2020. 

USRA is an independent, nonprofit research corporation where the combined efforts of in-house talent and university-based expertise merge to advance space science and technology. USRA works across disciplines including biomedicine, planetary science, astrophysics, and engineering and integrates those competencies into applications ranging from fundamental research to facility management and operations. USRA engages the creativity and authoritative expertise of the research community to develop and deliver sophisticated, forward-looking solutions to Federal agencies and other customers – on schedule and within budget.

USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities / Gender & Gender Identity / Protected Veterans / Disabled / Sexual Orientation.

Postdoctoral Researcher (Visiting) (Geochemistry and petrology)

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City: Houston
State/Province: Texas
Category: , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Cynthia Svambera
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Lunar and Planetary Institute
Application Due Date: Thursday, December 31 2020
Web Link: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=f03960f2-20cd-4828-9ae5-415eefc7072e&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=371645&lang=en_US&source=CC4

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), part of the Universities Space Research Association, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in the area of geochemistry and petrology of extraterrestrial materials.

The successful candidate will work as part of a team of planetary scientists at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The project is funded by NASA to investigate the effect of shock on H mobility in nominally anhydrous minerals and apatite. The work will involve impact shock experiments on geological materials, and their analysis by a variety of in-situ techniques.  Candidates with a strong background in petrology or geochemistry, and preferably experience with H analysis by FTIR or SIMS and shock effects and experimental petrology in minerals and meteorites, are encouraged to apply.

Completion of the PhD by the beginning of the appointment is required. The position would be for one year, with a possible extension to a second year. The candidate must be able to pass a detailed government background investigation. Technical questions should be addressed to Dr. Anne Peslier ([email protected]). Interested applicants should apply to the posting before October 1, 2020 at USRA Careers and must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae with list of publications, a two- to three-page statement of research interests and plans, and a list of at least three professional references. For general information about LPI please go to https://www.lpi.usra.edu/.

USRA is an independent, nonprofit research corporation where the combined efforts of in-house talent and university-based expertise merge to advance space science and technology. USRA works across disciplines including biomedicine, planetary science, astrophysics, and engineering and integrates those competencies into applications ranging from fundamental research to facility management and operations.

USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Disabled / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity.

Research Space Scientist

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Department: Heliophysics and Planetary Science Branch
City: Huntsville
State/Province: Alabama
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: David McKenzie
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Application Due Date: Thursday, December 31 2020
Web Link: http://www.usajobs.gov

Upcoming Planetary Science Research Positions at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center

The Heliophysics and Planetary Science Branch at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, plans to offer multiple positions seeking scientists to conduct research and develop applications to solve challenging Planetary Science problems. Outstanding candidates have the potential to be selected for federal employment, joining more than 30 other federal employees, academic staff, and contractors supporting Planetary Science efforts within the Branch, a subset of the Science Research and Projects Division, and the Science and Technology Office at Marshall Space Flight Center.

Research Space Scientist positions will be offered for researchers in planetary science, with expertise in remote sensing of planets, moons, and asteroids, and the development of instrumentation for planetary science investigations. The selected candidates will add substantive capability synergistic with the current staff and the goals of NASA’s Artemis program and MSFC’s strategy to integrate human space flight and science robotic capabilities in the Artemis era. The candidates will have an opportunity to lead the development of research proposals for new activities, execute funded projects, and share their accomplishments through conference participation and appropriate peer-reviewed literature.

The positions are expected to be announced in autumn 2020 under the category of Research Space Scientist and at the GS-13 grade level. Successful candidates will have had experience applying advanced tools, techniques, and/or data analysis/mining/machine learning techniques to datasets collected with remote sensing measurement techniques. Candidates should have made regular contributions to a research team with some guidance and direction, developed new analysis techniques to solve challenging problems, made contributions to peer-reviewed proposals in response to technical solicitations, and have contributed to peer-reviewed publications as part of a demonstrated publication record.

The formal announcement of the opportunity and related requirements will be posted in the near future at USAJobs (www.usajobs.gov) and can be found by searching with keyword NASA and location of Huntsville, Alabama. Applications are only accepted through the USAJobs portal, and United States citizenship is required to be eligible for these civil service positions. Candidates are encouraged to create a USAJobs profile well in advance to populate their resume and may also subscribe to USAJobs alerts received via email. Informal inquiries can be directed to Dr. David McKenzie, [email protected], 256-961-7896.

Research Scientist, Planetary Interiors and Geophysics

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City: Pasadena
State/Province: CA
Category: , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Cheryl Cooperstein
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Application Due Date: Tuesday, May 26 2020
Web Link: http://jpl.jobs/jobs/2020-11799-Research-Scientist-II

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites applications for a Scientist who will bring new expertise to and ensure continuity of existing capabilities at JPL in planetary science. The successful candidate will develop models for the chemical evolution of Europa, Enceladus, Titan, Ganymede, and other ocean worlds in support of the Icy Worlds, Titan, and Vital Signs teams. The candidate will investigate the detailed chemical evolution of Europa’s interior and its ice. Perform NASA funded research, including setting up and conducting novel experiments to measure chemical properties and processes applicable to planetary interiors. Investigate the metamorphic evolution of Ceres’s rocky mantle and support mission formulation as a subject matter expert on ocean world chemistry.

This position requires the following qualifications:

  • PhD in geochemistry, planetary geophysics, or a related field.
  • 3-4 years expertise in applying meteoritics, petrology, aqueous geochemistry to problems in astrobiology.

The following qualifications are preferred:

  • Knowledge of geophysical forward modeling and inverse theory, high-pressure experimental design and implementation.

Complete applications will include a cover letter describing the applicant’s vision for their role at JPL as a leader and contributor in planetary science research, a curriculum vita including a bibliography of refereed and other work, a statement on research experience and research objectives, and contact information for at least three professional references.

Applications are due by May 26, 2020 or until filled and should be submitted at:

https://jpl.jobs/jobs/2020-11799-Research-Scientist-II

 

JPL Postdoctoral Fellow

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Department: Planetary Interiors and Geophysics
City: Pasadena
State/Province: CA
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Catherine Elder
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Application Due Date: Saturday, April 25 2020
Web Link: https://jpl.jobs/jobs/2020-11715-Understanding-lunar-surface-processes-using-LRO-Diviner

The postdoctoral research associate will work with Dr. Catherine Elder to study lunar surface processes using a combination of thermal modeling and observations by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (Diviner). Diviner observations can constrain the material properties of the lunar surface and shallow subsurface which leads to a better understanding of the geologic history of the Moon. Topics of particular interest include volcanism, regolith formation and evolution, and impact processes. The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor and others, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Candidates should have a recent PhD in planetary science, physics, geology, or a related field. Candidates should have experience with numerical modeling and a strong background in physics. Experience using remote sensing data is preferred but not required. Candidates who have received their PhD within the past five years since the date of their application are eligible. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years.

Research Physical Scientist

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Department: Astrogeology Science Center
City: FLAGSTAFF
State/Province: ARIZONA
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Earl Emerson
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: U. S. Geological Survey
Application Due Date: Wednesday, February 12 2020
Web Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/557280200

Planetary geologic maps have been funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published by the USGS since 1961. The USGS Planetary Geologic Mapping Group at the Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, AZ is critically involved in the scientific and technical aspects of geologic mapping process in support of NASA programs. This position is for a Research Physical Scientist to fill the Tanaka-Greeley Fellowship within the USGS Planetary Geologic Mapping Group in Flagstaff, AZ. 

The position will primarily support the coordination, review, and production of NASA-funded planetary geologic mapping projects by both USGS and non-USGS geologists and space scientists and work closely with USGS scientists, cartographers, and data specialists to develop, establish, and implement best practices and standards. The position will also work both individually and as a team to create original geologic maps of high priority regions of the Moon and Mars in support of USGS and NASA goals. 

As a Research Physical Scientist within the Astrogeology Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Develop techniques and procedures to create high-precision planetary geologic maps
  • Assist with the technical and scientific review of planetary geologic maps
  • Assist with and lead the preparation of scientific and technical articles derived from planetary geologic mapping-based investigations
  • Develop and promulgate new planetary cartographic standards in order to maximize the consistent use and representation of planetary geologic maps and map-supportive data
  • Assist authors and USGS in the preparation of geologic map components for eventual publication
  • Generate GIS databases of specified data, building thematic data layers
  • Manage geospatial databases and data files
  • Train and direct other personnel in the geologic mapping process, use of mapping standards, GIS technologies, feature and map databases, and/or the use of GIS analysis tools

IT Specialist

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Department: Astrogeology Science Center
City: FLAGSTAFF
State/Province: ARIZONA
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Earl Emerson
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: U.S. Geological Survey
Application Due Date: Wednesday, February 12 2020
Web Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/556831100

Planetary geologic maps have been funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published by the USGS since 1961. The USGS Planetary Geologic Mapping Group at the Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, AZ is critically involved in the scientific and technical aspects of geologic mapping process in support of NASA programs. This position is for an IT Specialist to work within the USGS Planetary Geologic Mapping Group in Flagstaff, AZ.

The position will primarily support the creation, review, and production of NASA-funded planetary geologic mapping projects by providing technical support with respect to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), metadata, and cartographic standards. This will include, but is not limited to, managing geospatial databases and data files, documenting and communicating mapping workflows, developing new scientific and/or cartographic tools for planetary data analysis, and routine IT support services.

As an IT Specialist (Applications Software) within the Astrogeology Science Center, some of your specific duties will include:

  • Generates GIS databases of specified data, building thematic data layers
  • Manages geospatial databases and data files
  • Develops new scientific and/or cartographic tools for planetary data analysis
  • Scripts Python programs
  • Develops, adapts, and implements geospatial data standards
  • Trains and directs other personnel in the use of GIS packages, creation of GIS databases, and/or the use of GIS analysis tools
  • Tests, installs, implements, documents, and maintains GIS software
  • Provides technical guidance in testing, debugging, and maintaining GIS software

Graduate Student Research Opportunities in Planetary Science at Tulane University

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Current state: Approved
Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences
City: New Orleans
State/Province: Louisiana
Category: ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Jennifer Whitten or Colin Jackson
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Tulane University
Application Due Date: Tuesday, December 31 2019
Web Link: https://sse.tulane.edu/academics/graduate/admissions

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Tulane University seeks highly motivated students with an interest in pursuing graduate studies in planetary science. Opportunities are available within the general area of planetary surface processes with Dr. Whitten and planetary accretion with Dr. Jackson.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
For more information regarding specific research topics, please contact:                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                    
Dr. Jennifer Whitten                                                                                                                 
[email protected] <http://whitten.wp.tulane.edu                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                    
or                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                    
Dr. Colin Jackson                                                                                                                    
[email protected] <https://colinjackson.wp.tulane.edu/                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                    
Applications are due December 31, 2019                                                                                               
https://sse.tulane.edu/academics/graduate/admissions