Description

Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration seeks a Postdoctoral Research Scholar to work with Dr. Margaret Landis’ new group, focused on planetary remote sensing, ices, and the evolution of water in the inner solar system. The position is nominally for two years, negotiable contingent upon funding. 

This position is broadly for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar interested in the development of projects related, but not limited, to thermophysical characterization of planetary surfaces, characterization in situ or remotely through nuclear spectroscopy of planetary materials, numerical modeling of surface geomorphology and evolution, modeling of ice stability and transport, and/or icy terrains in the solar system. The position is primarily funded through faculty start-up, and as such a competitive research statement would include descriptions of projects related to these above topics that the candidate, if successful, would leverage ASU’s core facilities and SESE’s interdisciplinary focus to address. 

The successful candidate would conduct research focusing on a combination of research topics of mutual interest to the candidate and Dr. Landis, and expect to publish papers in standard planetary science journals on a regular basis. The successful candidate would be strongly encouraged to begin seeking external funding for their long-term support in planetary science research, with support to develop their proposal writing skills along the way. They successful candidate would be actively encouraged to work in ways that support the interdisciplinary focus of SESE (which combines astrophysical/astronomical, geosciences, biological research along with a focus on instrumentation to support those efforts) as well as integrate, where possible, the ASU charter’s focus on scholarship that encourages accessibility and inclusive excellence. 

Additional questions related to the qualifications for this position can be directed to Dr. Landis at margaret.landis@asu.edu, with questions related to HR process directed to SESEHR@asu.edu. 

About the School of Earth and Space Exploration 

SESE is a vibrant community that combines the strengths of science, engineering, and education to set the stage for a new era of exploration. Research in SESE includes, but is not limited to, the geology, geophysics, and geochemistry of Earth and other planetary bodies, exploration systems design and instrumentation, exoplanets, astrobiology, astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and Earth and space science education. A central part of SESE’s mission is to develop and deploy new technologies that enable scientific exploration, building on half a century of ASU faculty, staff, and student participation and leadership in Solar System exploration. SESE maintains world-class shared facilities and expertise to support the development and operation of space missions. Current SESE participation includes leadership of the NASA Psyche asteroid mission, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC), thermal emission spectrometers on the Mars Odyssey, OSIRIS-REx, Lucy, and upcoming Europa Clipper missions, multiple SmallSats, and the Mastcam and Mastcam-Z imaging investigations on the Curiosity rover and Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, respectively. See http://sese.asu.edu for more information.

About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves. 

Essential Functions:

• Conduct research focusing on a combination of research topics of mutual interest to the candidate and Dr. Landis
• Publish papers in standard planetary science journals on a regular basis
• Seek external funding for long-term support in planetary science research
• Expected to develop proposal writing skills 
• Work in ways that support the interdisciplinary focus of SESE (which combines astrophysical/astronomical, geosciences, biological research along with a focus on instrumentation to support those efforts) 
• Integrate, where possible, the ASU charter’s focus on scholarship that encourages accessibility and inclusive excellence

Requirements

Required Qualifications: 

• A PhD by the time of appointment in planetary sciences, geology, or a closely related field with a PhD conferral date confirmable with the degree granting institution 
• A demonstrated history of increasingly independent work focused on planetary surfaces, cryospheres, and related topics including the use of remote sensing data 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated interest or history of participation with robotic spacecraft missions and instrumentation, variously from formulation/concept phase to flight/decommissioning 
• Ability to write proposals at a level-appropriate venue (fellowships, NASA ROSES, NSF)
• Demonstrated ability or credible plan to leverage the interdisciplinary nature of SESE in their future work  
• Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter 

Application Instructions: 

The application deadline is November 21, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following application materials: 

• Research Statement (no more than 3 pages), including plans for future work
• CV
• Reference information for 3 referees 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 

A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. ASU’s full nondiscrimination statement (ACD 401) is located on the ASU website at https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX.

Clery Act Statement 

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.