Europa's surface evolution

Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0305-NPP-MAR26-JPL-PlanetSci
How to Apply

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
Application Deadline
4/2/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented 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:

Europa is well known for its highly tectonized surface. However, its surface is also modified by micrometeroid and charged particle bombardment. These processes likely change the surface on micro- to macro- scales from breaking down boulders to sintering of fine-grained particles. Understanding the mechanisms and rates of these processes will help us to understand the physical properties of Europa’s surface and the various timescales over which it is modified. Understanding these non-tectonic surface modification processes will become more important with the wealth of data anticipated from Europa Clipper. Topics of interest include block breakdown and regolith formation and evolution, and/or the evolution of the thermal inertia of icy surfaces and how it can be used to understand broader geologic questions. 

Field of Science: Planetary Science

Advisors:

Catherine Elder
Catherine.Elder@jpl.nasa.gov
(626) 318-8465
 

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.  

Eligibility is currently open to: 

  • U.S. Citizens; 

  • U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);  

  • Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and, 

  • Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status 

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

Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree.
NPP
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