Evolution of Organic Matter in Planetary Ices

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. This specific research opportunity focuses on Physics and Chemistry of Outer Planetary Ices using Laboratory Simulations and Spectroscopy. The goal is to understand the evolution of organic matter in ices under the conditions similar to Solar System icy bodies such as comets, satellites of Jupiter and Saturn, Saturnian Rings etc. In order to achieve this goal, it is also necessary to get accurate data on the physical properties of crystalline and amorphous forms of water-rich ices. In addition to the fundamental research mentioned above, the post-doctoral colleague will have an opportunity to participate in next-generation space instrumentation, and analysis of observational data. The fellowship is located at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.