Geology and Tectonics of Mars

NASA Postdoctoral Program – Mars Planetary Science Postdoctoral Position

Institution:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

Reference Code: 0011-NPP-MAR
26-JPL-Planet Sci

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

Posting Date: 4 days ago

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.

Research focus: geologic interpretation of data returned by Mars orbiter and lander/rover missions. Areas include geology, geomorphology, rock distribution, landscape development of landing sites; physical characteristics of the surface from remotely sensed data; selection of landing sites for Mars landers and rovers under development; geologic setting of layered sedimentary deposits; tectonics of structural features, regions and provinces. Research supports the current Mars Exploration program in selecting landing sites and in understanding surface–remote‑sensing data relationships.

Selected references:

• Golombek, M. P., et al., 2008,
  * Martian surface properties from joint analysis of orbital, Earth-based, and surface observations*:
  Chapter 21 in, The Martian Surface:
  Composition, Mineralogy and Physical Properties, J. F. Bell III editor, Cambridge University Press, pp. 468‑497.
• Golombek, M. P., Phillips, R. J., 2010,
  * Mars Tectonics*:
  Chapter 5 in Planetary Tectonics, T. R. Watters & R. A. Schultz, eds., Cambridge University Press, pp. 183‑232.
• Golombek, M. P., et al., 2006,
  * Erosion rates at the Mars Exploration Rover landing sites and long‑term climate change on Mars*:
  Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets, v. 111, E12S10, doi:
  10.1029/2006JE002754.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

Planetary Science

Matt Golombek (matthew.p.golombeka.gov, 818‑354‑3883)

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)..

• 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.

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Please submit all applications in Zintellect
. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements:

How to Apply

| NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org).

• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree.

Questions: email npp

Point of contact:
Mikeala