Experimental Investigation Stability, Formation, and Exchanges in Clathrate Hydrates

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

NASA Postdoctoral Program – Clathrate Hydrates Research

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Planetary Science

Mathieu Choukroun
Mathieu.

Choukrouna.gov

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers one‑to‑three‑year fellowships to conduct research that advances NASA’s missions. This postdoctoral position focuses on clathrate hydrates—crystalline structures that trap gas molecules—and their stability, kinetics, and chemical exchanges under planetary conditions. Experimental work involves operating a cryogenic optical gas pressure system coupled to Raman microscopy, with additional calorimetric, FT‑IR, and mass spectrometric instrumentation. The goal is to develop thermodynamic and kinetic models that address key questions about the role of clathrate hydrates in the early solar system and on Titan.

• Operate and maintain cryogenic measurement systems and Raman microscopy.
• Analyze experimental data and develop thermodynamic/kinetic models.
• Communicate results through publications and conference presentations.
• Collaborate with other researchers at JPL and NASA centers.

• Doctoral degree in planetary science, physics, chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience with laboratory techniques relevant to clathrate hydrate studies (e.g., Raman spectroscopy, cryogenic systems).
• Strong analytical and computational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication.

• U.S. Citizens.
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa.
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. with a valid EAD card and pending I‑485 or I‑589 forms.

November 1, 2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Submit all applications through Zintellect. Follow the instructions on the NASA Postdoctoral Program website (

How to Apply

| NASA Postdoctoral Program). The application packet must include a research proposal, three letters of recommendation, and official doctoral transcript documents.

npp

• Choukroun M., Kieffer S., Lu X., Tobie G. (2012). Clathrate Hydrates: implication for exchange processes in the outer Solar System. In:
  Science of Solar System Ices, 3rd Ed. Springer, New York, NJ.
• Choukroun M., Sotin
  
  C. (2012). Is Titan’s shape caused by its meteorology and carbon cycle? Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L04201.
• Turner N.J., Choukroun M., Castillo‑Rogez J.C., Bryden G. (2012). A hot gap around Jupiter’s orbit in the solar nebula. Astrophys. J., 748 92 doi:
  10.1088/X/748/2/92.
• Fortes A.D., Choukroun M. (2010). Phase behaviour of ices and hydrates. Space Sci. Rev., 153, 185-218, doi:
  10.1007/s-3.
• Lunine J.I., Choukroun M., Stevenson D.J., Tobie G. (2009). The Origin and Evolution of Titan. In:
  Brown, R.H., Lebreton, J.
  
  -P., Waite, H. (Eds.), Titan from Cassini‑Huygens, Ch. 3, pp. 35-59.
• Choukroun M., Morizet Y., Grasset O. (2007). Raman study of methane clathrate hydrates under pressure:
  New evidence for metastability of structure II. J. Raman Spectrosc., 38, 440-451.