The Planetary Surfaces and Spacecraft Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park is hiring multiple postdoctoral researchers. We are looking for experimentalists with experience working with vacuum systems, plasma physics, and/or granular materials and an interest in developing technology to remove lunar regolith from spacesuits and solar panels. The goal of this project is to demonstrate the functionality of a specialized lunar “lint roller” that uses synthetic gecko skin to remove dust, rather than a traditional adhesive. Additionally, we will be developing a cleaning appliance to make the gecko roller reusable. One investigator will build and operationalize a new UHV chamber system and test the gecko roller at lunar-relevant pressures. Other investigators will design, build and test the efficacy of the cleaning appliance, which will rely on electrostatic lofting. The expected start date is Jan 2024 or earlier.
For questions, please contact Christine Hartzell, [email protected].
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter to https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/112040