Postdoctoral Research Scholar Exploration Fellowship in Earth and Space Sciences
Applications are invited for two postdoctoral research positions at Arizona State University in the School of Earth and Space Exploration. The mission of the Exploration postdoctoral fellowship is to foster SESE’s interdisciplinary research program by attracting and supporting outstanding early-career scientists and engineers to pursue independent research in collaboration with SESE faculty. Research areas within SESE encompass astrobiology, astrophysics, biogeoscience, cosmology, Earth surface processes, geology, geophysics, instrumentation and systems engineering, planetary science, and science education.
Interested candidates should discuss potential collaborative research topics with SESE faculty members and propose research that will garner mentoring support from Exploration Fellow mentors. Preference will be given to proposals that include interdisciplinary research spanning multiple research areas (and faculty) within SESE and that address important questions that will have a significant impact. More information about the Exploration Fellowship can be found at: http://sese.asu.edu/exploration-fellowship
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date between March and July 2027. The initial appointment is for one year and may be renewed annually for up to two additional years, contingent upon satisfactory performance, the needs of the university, and the availability of resources. The position includes an annual salary of $75,000, $4,000 relocation expense and a $12,000 research budget.
This position is located on the ASU - Tempe Campus and requires physical presence at that location. Working from another location requires additional approvals, which are not guaranteed.
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, geology, geophysics, biology, and geochemistry of Earth and other planetary bodies, meteoritics, 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 Earth and Solar System exploration. SESE maintains world-class shared facilities and expertise to support the development and operation of space missions. More information about the school can be found here: https://sese.asu.edu/
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 and 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 independent research into scientific and/or engineering areas pertinent to earth and space exploration.
- Publish results in high-quality academic journals or other publications.
- Disseminate findings through presentations at national and international conferences and workshops.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in astrophysics, biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, physics, planetary science or a related field by the time of appointment.
- Candidates must be within four years from receipt of the doctoral degree.
Desired Qualifications:
- Record of prior achievement and experience demonstrating the potential to accomplish proposed research objectives.
- Demonstrated interest in conducting research with relevance, interdisciplinary merit, and/or the potential to impact the overarching "big picture" research questions within the field, aligning with the mission of SESE.
- Evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to collaborating with our faculty, members, staff, students, and external partners to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.
Application Instructions:
The application deadline is January 22, 2027. 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.
- A cover letter identifying the proposed research topic and the names of two SESE faculty mentors who could serve as research mentors.
- A current curriculum vitae.
- A research proposal that demonstrates relevance, interdisciplinary merit, and/or potential impact of the proposed research activities to the overarching “big picture” research questions in the field and to the mission of SESE. No longer than five pages (including figures and references).
- One paper that exemplifies the applicant’s research.
- Contact information for three references.
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 [contact details available in the full listing].
