NASA Postdoctoral Program - Microfluidic electrochemical sensor instrument development for life detection and habitability science

This NASA Postdoctoral Program fellowship opportunity focuses on research and development of microfluidic instruments using electrochemical sensors for measuring soluble properties of samples in support of life detection and habitability science. The position builds on the success of the Wet Chemistry Lab on the Mars Phoenix Lander, which detected perchlorate on Mars for the first time using electrochemical sensors. The research involves continued miniaturization of sensors via 2D and 3D fabrication methods, reduction in sample volume requirements, expanding the list of detectable targets, and improving sensor reliability through stable calibration methods. This work directly supports NASA's missions in space science and astrobiology, particularly for Ocean Worlds exploration missions. The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers one- to three-year competitive fellowships designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. Fellows engage in ongoing NASA research projects at NASA Centers, NASA Headquarters, or NASA-affiliated research institutes. This specific opportunity is based at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and involves technology development in analytical chemistry, electrochemistry, sensor fabrication, and microfluidic device manufacturing.