The Universities Space Research Association’s Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in lunar and asteroid exploration science for a full-time exempt position in the Houston, Texas area. The successful candidate will join Dr. David A. Kring and over two dozen other scientists in the Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, which is one of nine national centers of excellence supported by NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. The main goals of the Center’s activities are to address NASA’s highest lunar and asteroid exploration science objectives, including activities in preparation of robotic and crewed landings.

Applications from those with recent Ph.D.s in the fields of petrology and geochemistry are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will work at LPI and use the analytical facilities at the adjacent NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). Previous experience with lunar samples, chondritic meteorites, and/or impact lithologies will be advantageous, but is not required.
USRA offers a competitive salary and benefits package. If there are any questions about the science involved in the position, please contact Dr. David A. Kring ([email protected]). Interested applicants should apply to the posting at https://usracareers.silkroad.com/ and must submit a curriculum vita with list of publications, a two to three page statement of research interests, and a list of three references. There is no firm application deadline, although a review of applications will begin January 7, 2015.

USRA is an independent, nonprofit research corporation where the combined efforts of in-house talent and university-based expertise merge to advance space science and technology. USRA works across disciplines including biomedicine, planetary science, astrophysics, and engineering and integrates those competencies into applications ranging from fundamental research to facility management and operations. USRA engages the creativity and authoritative expertise of the research community to develop and deliver sophisticated, forward-looking solutions to Federal agencies and other customers – on schedule and within budget.

Additional details of the Center’s activities at the LPI and JSC are available at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/.

USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled