All applications must be submitted in Zintellect

Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

1. Research proposal
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. Official doctoral transcript documents

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented U.S. and non-U.S. scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Description:

The NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) will accept applications from individuals who propose to support one or more of the research areas currently covered by one of the U.S.-based SSERVI CAN-4 research teams. To view the list of these domestic SSERVI Teams, please visit http://sservi.nasa.gov/sserviteams.

SSERVI is a virtual institute established to advance basic and applied lunar and planetary science research and to advance human exploration of the solar system through scientific discovery. The Institute builds bridges between SMD and HEOMD, destinations (comparative planetology), teams, teams and the wider scientific community, disciplines, international and domestic partners, and government and commercial partners.

SSERVI provides scientific, technical and mission-defining analyses of the Moon, NEAs, Phobos and Deimos (Target Bodies) for relevant NASA programs, planning and space missions, including a Mars forward focus.  The research topic areas include:

• the role of the Target Bodies in revealing the origin and evolution of the inner Solar System;
• investigations as windows into planetary differentiation processes;
• near-Earth asteroid characterization (including NEAs that are potential human destinations;
• geotechnical properties and geophysics;
• Sample Science and geochemistry for Apollo samples, meteorites and/or simulants;
• regolith of the Target Body(s);
• dust and plasma interactions;
• radiation and space weathering;
• volatiles (in its broad sense) and other potential resources on Target Body(s);
• Permanently Shadowed Region Characterization
• In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) and prospecting;
• analog and robotic exploration;
• technology and instrumentation development
• operations and operability including hazard analysis;
• human health and performance including transit;
• and innovative observations that will advance our understanding of the fundamental physical laws, composition, and origins of the Universe.

Successful applicants will join together multiple SSERVI teams through their research and outreach activities. If selected for an NPP appointment with a SSERVI team, the applicant must relocate to the domestic U.S. SSERVI Team PI or Co-I institution.

Applications for this research opportunity will be evaluated initially through the NASA Postdoctoral Program portal.

Since successful candidates will contribute to SSERVI's organizational objectives in support of all research teams, applications for this SSERVI research opportunity must also include these elements in the proposal they submit with their NPP application:

• statement of purpose for seeking the SSERVI appointment;
• abstract of goals for Years 1 and 2 of the SSERVI appointment (maximum one page);
• knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to SSERVI's mission or to the research being conducted by one or more SSERVI team;
• past or current experience relevant to SSERVI's mission or to the research being conducted by one or more SSERVI team;
• expected contributions during the SSERVI appointment;
• methods or innovations to achieve those goals and contributions;
• career goals beyond the SSERVI appointment

Additionally, successful applicants must engage more than one SSERVI Team with their proposed research through interdisciplinary investigations, equipment/facilities usage, etc. A principal mentor must be chosen, but clear identification of the other teams with whom the candidate will engage in substantive work must be identified within the body of the proposal.

Field of Science: SSERVI

Advisors:

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Doctoral Degree.