Astrobiology and Organic Chemistry Potential of Enceladus, Europa, Titan​/Mars

Exploring the Astrobiology and Organic Chemistry Potential of Enceladus, Europa, Titan and/or Mars

ORAU is inviting applications for a postdoctoral fellow to investigate the organic chemistry and potential biochemistry on Enceladus, Europa, Titan, and Mars. The fellow will work in the Planetary Science Section at JPL and engage in laboratory-based research, mission data analysis, and interdisciplinary modeling to interpret measurements from recent and upcoming missions.

3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers a competitive, 1–3 year fellowship that supports advanced research in astrobiology and planetary science. Applicants will propose projects that address one or more of the following research areas:

• Hypervelocity impacts of ice grains for Enceladus and/or Europa – develop laboratory measurements and impact ionization mass spectrometry techniques to interpret plume data and test the impact of microbes on ice grains.
• Titan surface organic cryominerals and chemistry – characterize cryogenic minerals, co-crystal formations, and prebiotic chemical pathways in Titan-relevant conditions using Raman spectroscopy and X‑ray diffraction.
• Potential biosignatures on Mars – analyze rover measurements (PIXL, PIXL analogues) to explore biotic and abiotic sources of organic carbon and iron–phosphorus chemistry.

Interested candidates should hold a recent Ph.D. in chemistry, geochemistry, physics, or a related discipline in planetary science or astrobiology. Preference may be given to applicants with analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, mass spectrometry, IR/Raman spectroscopy, cryogenics, and vacuum systems expertise, but a broad range of backgrounds is encouraged.

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

All applications must be submitted through the NASA Postdoctoral Program website. The complete application includes a research proposal, three letters of recommendation, and official doctoral transcript documents.

Please email npp