Applications are now being accepted for two Postdoctoral Research Associates, 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 Mars magnetic fields and upper atmosphere investigations 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. Both candidates will work on site at GSFC with scientists in the Solar System Exploration Division. One candidate will work directly with the Magnetometer Investigation, participating in data analysis and scientific studies, leading to publication of results in scientific journals. Prior experience with magnetometer data, disciplined programming skills (primarily Fortran and IDL), and scientific writing experience are desired. Another candidate will work closely with the MAVEN Project Scientist on analysis of the interaction between the Mars upper atmosphere/ionosphere and solar inputs, taking full advantage of data returned by the MAVEN spacecraft’s science payload.
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 for either position should have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline with prior experience conducting scientific research related to the Maven science objectives or the types of instruments included in the MAVEN science payload. IDL skills and experience in acquisition and analysis of 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 May 23, 2014 will receive full consideration.