NASA Postdoctoral Program - Measuring Present-day Dune Formation on Mars

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 opportunity focuses on investigating the present-day formation of protodunes on Mars through aeolian and geomorphological modeling. The research will examine sand patches that become dunes, which can improve interpretation of dune distribution and activity on Mars. Studies of protodunes help understand Mars's current near-surface wind environment and sediment budget. The research aims to quantitatively tie identified features and activity to wind and sand flux models so that broader interpretations for wind patterns, dune formation on Mars, and aeolian transport and erosion rates can be derived from martian protodunes. Rapid changes in shape, size, and ripple patterns over these small-scale features can constrain sand flux estimates over seasonal timescales.