Friday, July 22, 2011

Opportunities for postdoctoral researchers in lunar science

The Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites applications for lunar science and exploration postdoctoral fellowships. The opportunities include research in:

Lunar Surface Geology and Remote Sensing - Primarily using new LRO data and integrating it with existing lunar data to evaluate processes associated with impact cratering and/or planetary differentiation. Experience with orbital remote sensing methods, photometry of lunar materials, and photogeology of lunar or lunar-like terrains is preferred.

Experimental and/or Analytical Petrology and Geochemistry - Primarily using Apollo and lunar meteorite samples (or synthetic analogues of them) to evaluate processes associated with impact cratering and/or planetary differentiation. Experience with electron microprobe, ion microprobe, and/or LA-ICPMS techniques is preferred.

Modeling of Impact Cratering Processes - Primarily using hydrocodes and relevant analytical techniques to evaluate different types of cratering processes on the Moon, to model specific crater or basin-forming events, and potentially guide future exploration scenarios.

The successful candidates should be able to work independently, although encouraged to take advantage of the tremendous lunar-related expertise in the Houston area. The successful candidate will be a member of the LPI-JSC Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, which is one of the core teams within the NASA Lunar Science Institute.

USRA offers a competitive salary and benefits package. If there are any questions about the science involved in the position, please contact Dr. David A. Kring. Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vita with list of publications, a two to three page statement of research interests, and a list of three references to resume@lpi.usra.edu. There is no firm application deadline, although a review of applications will begin August 15, 2011.

The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

David A. Kring, Ph.D.
Center for Lunar Science & Exploration
USRA - Lunar and Planetary Institute
3600 Bay Area Blvd.
Houston, TX 77058-1113
(281) 486-2119

Research publications:
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/science/kring/research.shtml
Email: kring@lpi.usra.edu

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