Planetary Science: Martian Geochemistry Curiosity’s SAM Instrument Suite

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

0318-NPP-NOV
26-GSFC-Planet Sci

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 Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite is a miniaturized geochemical laboratory on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, which is currently exploring Mars’ Gale crater. SAM includes a quadrupole mass spectrometer, a tunable laser spectrometer, and a gas chromatograph that analyze volatile compounds released through thermal decomposition of Martian surface materials. SAM measurements allow assessment of volatile abundances and composition (chemical and/or isotopic) and inform interpretations of host rock mineralogy and history.

Research projects will utilize mass spectrometric data to better understand Gale crater geochemistry, particularly the deposition of salts and implications for aqueous alteration processes through time. Projects may use data acquired by the SAM mass spectrometer on Mars and/or by laboratory instruments processing terrestrial analog materials. Other laboratory analytical techniques that may be used include X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Prior experience with Martian in situ data analysis is highly desirable.

Planetary Science

Heather Franz

heather.b.franz

Doctoral degree in Planetary Science or related field.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree.

Mikeala

Please email npp