Path 1 Kawader: NYUAD Mars Research Group

Job Description

The research assistant will work with the NYUAD Mars Research Group and join our efforts to study the atmosphere and surface of Mars with the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), also known as Al-Amal or Hope.

The group is interested in the atmosphere of Mars, its surface and subsurface chemistry, and exploring its present and past habitability.

The Main Research Areas Are

• Mars atmosphere: Investigating how space weather impacts the Martian atmosphere. Using a combination of numerical modeling and data from space missions, the goal is to understand space weather-induced changes in atmospheric chemistry and escape rates. Data from the UAE’s Hope mission will be used to complement ongoing research with NASA’s MAVEN and Curiosity missions. AI-based techniques for data analysis are being developed from multiple missions to take advantage of large datasets and obtain a comprehensive picture of the planet.
• Martian surface and subsurface: an experimental facility to simulate Martian conditions and study the chemistry of the planet based on data from Mars rovers is being established. The Martian subsurface environment will be simulated, the target of ESA/Roscosmos’s ExoMars 2022 mission. The goal is to investigate the present and past habitability of the planet.
• Crewed missions to Mars: All major spacefaring nations, including the UAE (Mars 2117) are seriously thinking about crewed missions to the planet in future. The group is investigating the impact of radiation on astronaut health using a combination of numerical modeling and medical data. The group will also work toward developing sustainable exploration strategies for such missions.
• Mars-analog environments: The goal is to gain insights into potential life on Mars by studying Mars-like environments on Earth by (1) exploring Mars-analog sites, and (2) studying the microbial response in Mars simulation chambers in the laboratory. The group will investigate the effect of multiple extreme conditions of salinity, temperature, desiccation and irradiation on microbial communities in the Arabian gulf.

Principal Responsibilities

• Analyze Hope mission data.
• Develop Expertise in at least one of the three instruments on board Hope.
• Run simulations on NYUAD’s High Performance Computing (HPC) system.
• Prepare presentations and manuscripts.
• Assist with data analysis of other Mars missions.
• Assist with outreach projects related to the mission.

The candidate will work on individualized research projects under the supervision of the faculty during the duration of his/her tenure.

This position is supervised by Prof. Katepalli Sreenivasan and co-supervised by Dimitra Atri.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in physics
• Computer science
• Engineering or a related discipline

Preferred

• Master’s degree in physics
• Computer science
• Engineering or a related discipline

Required

Work and related experience

• Experience with python

Preferred

• Experience in planetary science research
• Expertise in python and machine learning
• Statement of interest in the position
• Transcript of degree(s)
• CV
• Two letters of recommendation

This position is under the NYUAD Kawader program, for details regarding the program, open dates, specific program requirements, and FAQ’s please refer to our NYUAD Kawader webpage: https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/about/careers/postdoctoral-and-research/kawader-research-assistantship-program.html

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

For people in the EU, click here for information on your privacy rights under GDPR: www.nyu.edu/it/gdpr

NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Sustainability Statement

NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability