NASA Postdoctoral Program - Planetary Orbits, Rotation and Gravity Fields

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 position is to conduct research in the area of solar system dynamics with an emphasis on using spacecraft radio range and Doppler measurements to determine planetary gravity fields and rotation dynamics to further understanding of planetary interior and crustal structure and formation processes. A broad range of space missions are available for investigation, including GRACE gravity mapping data analysis, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter gravity data analysis, Juno gravity science data planning and simulation analysis, BepiColombo mission to Mercury gravity science data planning and simulation analysis. Other areas of interest include using combined data sets for the estimation of the planetary ephemeris as well as the ephemeris development for the natural satellites and small bodies of the solar system. The successful candidate will work with members of the active Solar System Dynamics Group at JPL.