Solar System Exploration: Theoretical and Observational Studies in Astrochemistry

Job Detail

We are particularly interested in the chemical connections between different stages in the Galactic evolution of matter, specifically issues related to the birth and death of stars, the formation and evolution of the Solar System, and prebiotic chemistry
Thus, millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths are excellent probes to access the molecular content as well as ascertain the physical conditions of these objects
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 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status
Degree: Doctoral Degree

We then apply these concepts to construct detailed computer models of various astronomical sources
The theoretical models involve either numerical integration of large systems of differential equations describing combined dynamical-chemical evolution, as in the case on cometary comae, or involving stochastic simulation using Monte Carlo alogorithms, as in the case of catalytic reactions on astronomical dust particles
Remote observations of cometary molecules probe directly the gaseous coma as it outgasses from the nucleus of dust and ice
A significant effort at GSFC is in the development of a coma chemistry code and applying it to understand the data both from ground-based observtaions and from comet rendezvous space missions
We also are active in using radio telescopes to study the chemistry of these same regions of the galaxy
Abundance variations, molecular inventory, isotope ratios in various species, and molecular distributions can be determined from observations at these wavelengths and help decipher the origins and/or survival of molecular material throughout the interstellar medium
Specific research opportunities may include millimeter and/or submillimeter observations of the interstellar medium, circumstellar envelopes, and/or comets to investigate the molecular complexity throughout stellar evolution, including the formation of planetary systems and astrobiological implications

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