Artificial Intelligence modelling of Europa’s Space Environment and Ionosphere

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

0267-NPP-NOV
26-JPL-Planet Sci

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

Jupiter’s moon Europa is a prime candidate in the search for life beyond Earth. NASA’s Europa Clipper mission aims to investigate the habitability of this icy world with a suite of 10 science instruments when it arrives at the moon in the early 2030’s. The aim of this project is to use advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, trained on outputs from already developed MHD simulations, to emulate the space environment and ionosphere of Europa and other moons in the solar system.

The postdoctoral fellow will work with Dr. Corey Cochrane to build the AI models, couple them with existing physical models, analyze results and disseminate findings. The fellow will collaborate with members of the Europa Clipper Science Team to apply the AI models in preparation for Clipper’s arrival at Europa.

• Build AI models to emulate Europa’s space environment and ionosphere.
• Couple the AI models with existing physical models.
• Analyze simulation results and perform Monte Carlo error analyses.
• Disseminate findings to relevant communities and collaborate with the Europa Clipper Science Team.

• Planetary Science

• Corey Cochrane – corey.j.cochranea.gov –
• Xianzhe Jia – xzjia –

• Doctoral degree.
• U.S. Citizens, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), foreign nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa, and applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. with a valid EAD card and I-485 or I-589 pending status.
• Citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States.

Mikeala – npp