ORAU
NASA Postdoctoral Program – Mars Planetary Science Postdoctoral Position
Institution: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.
Reference Code: 0011-NPP-MAR26-JPL-PlanetSci
Application Deadline: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Posting Date: 4 days ago
Description 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.
Location Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.
Field of Science Planetary Science
Advisor Matt Golombek (matthew.p.golombek@jpl.nasa.gov, 818‑354‑3883)
Eligibility 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://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
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.
Application Materials
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).
Requirements
Degree: Doctoral Degree.
Contact Questions: email
npp@orau.org
Point of contact: Mikeala
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Reference Code: 0011-NPP-MAR26-JPL-PlanetSci
Application Deadline: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Posting Date: 4 days ago
Description 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.
Location Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.
Field of Science Planetary Science
Advisor Matt Golombek (matthew.p.golombek@jpl.nasa.gov, 818‑354‑3883)
Eligibility 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://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
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.
Application Materials
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).
Requirements
Degree: Doctoral Degree.
Contact Questions: email
npp@orau.org
Point of contact: Mikeala
#J-18808-Ljbffr