The Jet Propulsion Laboratory Postdoctoral Associate Program invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in JPL’s Microdevices Laboratory.
The research will involve development of methods and instrumentation that will enable automated microcapillary electrochromatography (mCEC) analyses on extraterrestrial targets such as Mars, Titan, and Europa as part of the payload of a remotely operated robotic spacecraft probe. A particular focus of this newly initiated research effort is on the chiral separation and identification of neutral molecules of astrobiological and prebiotic interest. The detection methodology used for early project phases will be laser-induced-fluorescence, but the longer-term work will integrate mass-spectrometric detection as well via nano-electrospray ionization. Dr. Peter A. Willis, the Urey Instrument Microcapillary Electrophoresis Analytical Lead, in JPL’s Instrument Electronics and Sensors Section, will serve as JPL postdoctoral advisor to the selected candidate. The appointee will be guided by the JPL advisor to ensure that the research work will result in publications in the open literature.
Candidates should have a recent Ph.D. in chemistry or a chemistry-related discipline with a strong background in microfluidics and analytical chemistry. Experience in microcapillary electrochromatography, microcapillary electrophoresis, or chip-based chromatography is highly desirable. The appointment is contingent upon evidence of completion of a Ph.D.
Please send a letter describing your research interests, a curriculum vitae, and a list of three references (with telephone numbers and postal and e-mail addresses) to
Dr. Peter A. Willis
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MS 302-231
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109-8099, USA
Tel: +1-818-393-6941
E-mail: Peter.A.Willis@jpl.nasa.gov
Posted 11/5/2008
