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Chemical and physical processes that impact habitability and life-detection investigations


National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)


Location

Pasadena, CA | United States


Job description

Description

Description:

Following the tantalizing detections of organics at target bodies of Enceladus, Mars, and Ceres, and potential access to subsurface reservoirs via plumes (Enceladus and possibly Europa) it is clear that characterization of organic species will continue to be a major focus of Solar System exploration. Accurate determination of the abundances and distributions of abiotic (and possibly even biotic) organics are critical to achieving habitability and life-detection goals for upcoming missions.

Unfortunately, not enough is yet known about how local environmental conditions and instrument/mission parameters influence these measurements.  The goal of this NPP work will be to investigate relevant chemical and physical interactions that can affect organic and putative biosignature detections, and to determine environmental conditions and detection methods that promote more reliable results.

Some potential topics of interest include:

The successful NPP candidate will use flight-relevant techniques and/or laboratory instrumentation including mass spectrometry, liquid or supercritical fluid chromatography, and/or UV/Vis/IR spectroscopy to design a study that addresses outstanding questions regarding organic detection and characterization presently or previously habitable Solar System bodies.

Field of Science: Astrobiology

Advisors:
Bryana Henderson
[email protected]
(818) 354-2416

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: .

Eligibility is currently open to:

This opportunity may require the following: 1- Mandatory drug testing; 2-Random drug testing; 3- Testing prior to initiation of fellowship appointment.

Eligibility Requirements

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect


Job tags

Permanent employmentLocal area


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