Lunar crustal dichotomy and its effects in early lunar volcanism

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

0291-NPP-MAR
26-JPL-Planet Sci

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements:

How to Apply

| NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org).

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

4/2/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

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.

The candidate is expected to pursue an independent research program on the subject of lunar petrology. The main focus of interest would be to combine petrological and remote sensing information with geodynamical modeling in order to provide an explanation of the lunar crustal dichotomy. The proposed work would incorporate all observations of the lunar crustal dichotomy, including the variations of crustal thickness and chemical differences, as well as the differences in volcanic output on each side of the Moon.

A model that manages to explain these disparate observations is key to unraveling early lunar processes such as the cumulate overturn or the magma ocean, and will help understand the genesis of mare volcanism. The project would ideally involve the creation of programs to work with petrological data and to combine them with various modeling techniques.

• Planetary Science

Laura Kerber

laura.kerbera.gov

Applications from 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa status; and,
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with a valid EAD card and I‑485 or I‑589 forms in pending status

Point of Contact:
Mikeala

The ideal applicant would have a PhD (or pending) in a topic in lunar petrology. The applicant should be well versed in thermodynamic phase equilibria models, and demonstrate proficiency with coding. The ideal applicant will have excellent writing and speaking skills and be capable of independent work.

Please email npp