Mass Spectrometry of Lunar Volatiles

This NASA Postdoctoral Program opportunity is for the development of models and data analysis using mass spectrometers on the Moon to improve our understanding of volatiles (e.g., water, nitrogen, noble gases) in the lunar exosphere and lunar soils. The opportunity will consider the origin and provenance of volatiles measured by the Peregrine Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS) on Astrobotic's Peregrine Mission-1 and the Mass Spectrometer observing lunar operations (MSolo) on the VIPER mission. It is expected that these research problems be addressed using a combination of modeling of volatile sources and isotopic signatures, data analysis from these instruments, and collaborating with datasets from other instruments. The incumbent will gain hands-on experience by participating in the flight operation of these instruments to collect, analyze, and archive data. The incumbent will be expected to present results at appropriate conferences and in peer-reviewed publications. 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.