Solar System Exploration: Mars Organic Analysis and Curiosity's SAM Instrument

Overview

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: The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on the Curiosity rover incorporates a multi-column gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) that is used to analyze the composition of organic compounds released from rocks. In addition to GCMS experiments on compounds thermally released using evolved gas analysis (EGA) from powdered rocks and soils, SAM utilizes chemical derivatization and thermochemolysis techniques based on solvents and reagents sealed in several SAM cups.

The objective is to conduct pyrolysis, GCMS, and derivatization and thermochemolysis studies on terrestrial analogues and Mars mineral and organic simulants using commercial GCMS systems, SAM breadboards, and a high fidelity SAM testbed. In addition, characterization is needed for a range of calibrants using the specific columns and experiment conditions used by the SAM experiment on Mars. These studies will extend the groundbreaking discoveries of SAM of organics on Mars and contribute to the interpretation of existing data and future data to be secured as the Curiosity rover moves further up Mount Sharp in Gale crater.

Location: Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science: Planetary Science

Advisors: Lu Chou
luoth.chou

Eligibility 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

Application Instructions: 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

Final date to receive applications: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Qualifications: Eligibility Requirements — Doctoral Degree.

Point of Contact: Mikeala

Please email npp for questions.

EEO Statement: Applications from citizens of 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The description outlines research opportunities with the SAM instrument and related NASA Mars organic analysis studies, including conducting GCMS, EGA, derivatization, and thermochemolysis studies using SAM hardware, simulants, and testbeds, and contributing to data interpretation for current and future Curiosity rover data.

• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree.