Extraterrestrial Sample Analysis

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects. This specific opportunity focuses on studying the chemical dynamics of extraterrestrial samples through a combination of laboratory techniques. Several systematic studies utilize separate unique ultrahigh vacuum apparatus. Analysis includes post-irradiation mass spectrometry of deposited prebiotic molecules, laser-induced thermal desorption of volatiles, reflectron time-of-flight analysis of sputtered neutrals and ions, photon/electron stimulated desorption of surface atoms, and FTIR reflectance spectroscopy. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. Candidates must demonstrate experience and publications with vacuum technology and chemistry or physics.