POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER - Mars Science Laboratory - Boulder, Colorado at Southwest Research Institute

Who We Are:

Southwest Research Institute's Solar System Science & Exploration Division is located in Boulder, Colorado. We conduct basic observational, modeling, and theoretical research in a wide range of solar system and astrophysical topics, including Solar Physics/ Heliophysics, Planetary Science, Astrophysics, Origins Research, and Geophysics. We also participate and/or lead several NASA orbital and deep space missions, including New Horizons (Pluto), Mars Science Laboratory (Mars), Lucy (Jovian Trojans), PUNCH (Sun) and Solar Orbiter (Sun).

Objectives of this Role:

• Work on data analysis, modeling, and other scientific activities associated with the Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD), which is a heliophysics instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), and has been operating on the surface of Mars since August 2012.
• Participate in operations, data reduction, analysis, modeling and publication of scientific results from RAD.
• The successful candidate is also encouraged to develop his/her own research program and participate in proposals for future projects.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Serve as Postdoctoral Scientist for the RAD instrument and participate in the operations, data reduction, analysis and modeling of the RAD instrument.
• Present the results at Team Meetings and other international Scientific Meetings (e.g. AGU, AAS, etc.)
• Have an opportunity to participate in the development and characterization of new instrumentation and technologies similar to MSL/ RAD, that are being developed at SwRI.

Requirements:

• Requires a PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, Astronomy or equivalent degree field
• 2 years: Experience as a graduate student in heliophysics and/or space weather related science.
• Demonstrated knowledge in data reduction and analysis is required.
• Proficiency in Python (or similar) and CME and/or solar energetic particle propagation modeling is highly desirable.
• Good communication skills and be willing to work both independently and in a group setting.