Planetary Science: Geochemistry and Geochronology of Planetary Materials

Organization
:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

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.

The history of each planet is told through its rocks – how the minerals are put together, what the minerals are made of, and when the rocks were formed. The Moon is a witness to 4.5 billion years of solar system history, recording planetary differentiation, impact flux, and volatile evolution more completely and more clearly than any other planetary body. Asteroids are fascinating worlds ranging from small bodies containing a record of the earliest solar system processes to differentiated dwarf planets.

Mars has a dynamic surface sculpted by almost every major geological process known – vast chasms, broad lava plains, ancient impact basins, and the largest volcano in the solar system.

We use multiple analysis techniques to understand the formation, modification, and age of planetary materials to learn about their parent planets.

We solicit research proposals using the Mid‑Atlantic Noble Gas Research Laboratory (MNGRL). Current projects include the early impact history of the Moon through noble‑gas dating of impact‑melt rocks contained in lunar meteorites and Apollo breccia, the impact history of the asteroid belt by examination of meteorite breccias from large main‑belt asteroids, age limits on terrestrial impact craters, and exposure histories and thermal history of new and unusual meteorites.

We are also developing a LIBS‑MS based technique (the Potassium‑Argon Laser Experiment, or KArLE) for in‑situ planetary isotopic dating for use on future Mars and Moon missions. Research proposals may focus on how in‑situ K‑Ar dating may be used to understand different planetary lithologies, comparing K‑Ar and Ar‑Ar ages of Martian and lunar rocks that have complex thermal histories, and investigating experimental conditions (pressure, temperature, viewing angle, measurement techniques, etc.)

to optimize flight instrument workflow and hardware.

Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Planetary Science

Barbara

A. Cohen
Email: barbara.a.cohen
Phone: 301‑614‑6803

• U.S. Citizens
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
• Foreign nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status
• 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

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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree