Graham Ryder Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Lunar and Planetary Institute

The Universities Space Research Association’s Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, Texas, invites applications for the Graham Ryder Post-Doctoral Fellowship, which honors the accomplishments and legacy of Dr. Graham Ryder. Dr. Ryder was a world-recognized authority on lunar samples and the history of the Moon and was a Staff Scientist at the LPI for nearly 20 years.

The Ryder Postdoctoral Fellowship recognizes and promotes excellence in research for scientists within five years of their doctorate. Ryder Fellows are expected to define their own research direction and foci within the planetary sciences, with an emphasis on topics in lunar petrology and geology. The Ryder Fellow will be in residence at the LPI and will be expected to interact with its scientists ( www.lpi.usra.edu/science/staff ). The Fellow may also interact with staff in the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) division at NASA’s Johnson Space Center ( https://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/ ). The LPI is directing a new team for NASA’s Support for Planetary Sample Science program that is focused on astromaterials samples and research. LPI also leads a team in the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI; https://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/ ), allowing the Fellow to collaborate with these communities of planetary explorers.

Essential duties and responsibilities of this position include:

• Perform fundamental research in lunar and planetary sciences.

• Publish results of this research in refereed journals of repute for this field of research. A general guideline would be at least one such publication in the first year (preferably as sole or senior author) and two or more each year afterward.

• Present results of this research in internationally recognized conferences and workshops in the field as oral presentations or posters.

• Seek external support for research activities from granting agencies starting in the second year, including partial salary support.

• Advise undergraduate interns and/or assist with advising of graduate students.

• Participate in public science engagement activities at LPI and/or JSC to disseminate planetary science results to the general public and to support institutional goals.

• Prepare reports of own scientific and other activity for required annual reporting to NASA, the LPI, and internal LPI staff/scientist evaluation (quarterly, annual).

• Make contributions to focused workshops and conferences organized through the LPI.

• Prepare and effectively manage budgets for all grants or awards as Principal Investigator or co-Investigator, staying within budget, and providing appropriate periodic reviews and reports as required by USRA, the LPI and/or JSC, and the granting agency.

Applicants for this position should have (or should be received within 6 months) a Ph.D. in a planetary science, geoscience and/or a related space sciences field and a strong publication record. Research experience in planetary science as part of or beyond completion of the Ph.D. is strongly preferred. Excellent communication skills also are preferred. The candidate must be able to pass a detailed government background investigation. Citizens of U.S. State Department Designated Countries (see https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control/ ) are not eligible. The Fellowship includes a competitive salary, with research and travel support. The term of the Fellowship is two years; an extension to a third year is possible.

Interested applicants should apply to the posting at https://www.usra.edu/careers and must submit a Curriculum Vita (career record) with a list of publications and three professional references and a two- to three-page statement of research plans for working at the LPI and JSC. Further information on current research and facilities at the LPI and at JSC can be found on our websites (shown above).

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.

Applications are due by March 15, 2024.

USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Disabled / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity.