What are the responsibilities and job description for the Europa's surface evolution position at ORAU?
Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0305-NPP-NOV26-JPL-PlanetSci
How To Apply
All applications must be submitted in Zintellect
Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)
A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:
11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
About the NASA Postdoctoral Program
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.
Description:
Europa is well known for its highly tectonized surface. However, its surface is also modified by micrometeroid and charged particle bombardment. These processes likely change the surface on micro- to macro- scales from breaking down boulders to sintering of fine-grained particles. Understanding the mechanisms and rates of these processes will help us to understand the physical properties of Europa’s surface and the various timescales over which it is modified. Understanding these non-tectonic surface modification processes will become more important with the wealth of data anticipated from Europa Clipper. Topics of interest include block breakdown and regolith formation and evolution, and/or the evolution of the thermal inertia of icy surfaces and how it can be used to understand broader geologic questions.
Field of Science: Planetary Science
Advisors:
Catherine Elder
Catherine.Elder@jpl.nasa.gov
(626) 318-8465
Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
Eligibility is currently open to:
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0305-NPP-NOV26-JPL-PlanetSci
How To Apply
All applications must be submitted in Zintellect
Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)
A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:
- Research proposal
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official doctoral transcript documents
11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
About the NASA Postdoctoral Program
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.
Description:
Europa is well known for its highly tectonized surface. However, its surface is also modified by micrometeroid and charged particle bombardment. These processes likely change the surface on micro- to macro- scales from breaking down boulders to sintering of fine-grained particles. Understanding the mechanisms and rates of these processes will help us to understand the physical properties of Europa’s surface and the various timescales over which it is modified. Understanding these non-tectonic surface modification processes will become more important with the wealth of data anticipated from Europa Clipper. Topics of interest include block breakdown and regolith formation and evolution, and/or the evolution of the thermal inertia of icy surfaces and how it can be used to understand broader geologic questions.
Field of Science: Planetary Science
Advisors:
Catherine Elder
Catherine.Elder@jpl.nasa.gov
(626) 318-8465
Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
Eligibility is currently open to:
- U.S. Citizens;
- U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
- Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and,
- Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.