Internship - STEM - Modeling Impacts Titan Using Numerical Simulations

Are you interested in contributing to efforts that help us learn about the planets and moons in our solar system, even if you’ve never worked on space systems before?

The Dragonfly mission team is seeking a Student Guest Investigator to model impact events into Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, using high-fidelity numerical simulations.

We’re seeking Master’s and PhD students in the physical sciences, computer science, mathematics, or engineering who are strong analytical thinkers and eager to apply coding and modeling skills to real-world planetary science challenges. This is a two-year hybrid commitment and you must remain actively enrolled for the full two-year duration of the project. Some work may be performed remotely during the academic year;

however, summer work is conducted in person.

This is your opportunity to contribute to a mission to Titan while using computational tools to better understand surface conditions at potential landing sites.

Impact craters form when objects traveling through space collide with planetary bodies. Because Dragonfly will explore an impact crater on Titan, understanding how different types of impact events shape the surface is essential for mission planning.

This project focuses on using high-fidelity numerical simulations to model two types of impactors:

• Heliocentric (orbiting the Sun before impact)
• Planetocentric (orbiting Saturn before impact)

These impact types differ in speed and energy, leading to different crater formation outcomes. Your work will help evaluate crater size, melt volume, and other surface characteristics relevant to Dragonfly’s landing site.

• Define impactor populations and characteristics (velocity, angle, speed)
• Run high-fidelity numerical simulations of impact events
• Model heliocentric and planetocentric impacts into Titan
• Analyze crater size, melt volume, and surface modification outcomes
• Develop analysis scripts using Python or MATLAB
• Evaluate large simulation datasets and image outputs
• Document progress, findings, and technical challenges for mentor review

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)

• Final date to receive applications
  :
  May 29, 2026
• Selections Announced
  :
  September 30, 2026

• U.S. Citizenship (required for access to facilities and networks)
• Currently pursuing a Master’s or PhD in physical sciences, computer science, mathematics, or engineering at a U.S. institution and must remain actively enrolled for the full two-year duration of the project
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research or development
• Willingness to learn to use image analysis tools
• Experience with programming
• Familiarity with Python or MATLAB for analysis
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and within a technical team

• Experience with numerical modeling or computational simulations
• Experience working in Linux or command-line environments
• Experience handling large datasets

Submit the following materials:

• 1–2 page cover letter (per project applied to)
• Most recent transcripts (unofficial is fine)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including hardware and software project experience

Applicants must provide a name and contact information for their faculty advisor at their home institution along with a 2–3 sentence statement from that faculty advisor confirming that if the student is selected:

• They will provide a workspace, internet access, facilities, etc. at their home institution so that the student can work on their Dragonfly project and communicate with the Dragonfly team during their 2-year tenure as a Guest Investigator
• They will remotely attend the Fall 2026 Guest Investigator Kickoff Meeting (mid–late October)
• They understand that this is a part‑time, supplemental research project that does not replace their student’s M.S. or Ph.D. research

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world‑class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are…