Measuring Present-day Dune Formation on Mars
ORAU, Pasadena, CA, United States
Organization
NASA
Reference Code
0284-NPP-NOV26-JPL-PlanetSci
How To Apply All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org). A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:
Research proposal
Three letters of recommendation
Official doctoral transcript documents
Application Deadline
11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.
About the NASA Postdoctoral Program This research opportunity is an investigation, via aeolian/geomorphological modeling, of the present-day formation of protodunes (i.e., the sand patches that become dunes) on Mars. Studies of protodunes can improve our interpretation of dune distribution and activity, feeding into our understanding of Mars’s current nearsurface wind environment and sediment budget. Estimations of sand flux rates are important for improved interpretation of all dunes and wind patterns around Mars, and are used to constrain aeolian erosion rates that are used to estimate exposure times and particle transport distances. Past work has identified martian protodunes, some with distinctive ripple beds and some with observed changes. This research aims to tie these features and activity to wind and sand flux models to derive broader interpretations for wind patterns, dune formation on Mars, and aeolian transport and erosion rates.
References: Baddock, M.C., Nield, J.M. and Wiggs, G.F., 2018. Early-stage aeolian protodunes: Bedform development and sand transport dynamics. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 43(1), 339-346, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4242.
Field of Science
Planetary Science
Advisors Serina Diniega
serina.diniega@jpl.nasa.gov
(626) 720-7293
Note:
Applications from citizens of Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A full list of Designated Countries is available at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
Eligibility Eligibility is currently open to:
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
Qualifications
Experience with bedform evolution and/or sand flux models over ripples and/or dunes
Familiarity with aeolian process/wind model(s) application in Mars/planetary studies
Familiarity with relevant Martian observation datasets
Point of Contact Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
Degree: Doctoral Degree.
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NASA
Reference Code
0284-NPP-NOV26-JPL-PlanetSci
How To Apply All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org). A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:
Research proposal
Three letters of recommendation
Official doctoral transcript documents
Application Deadline
11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.
About the NASA Postdoctoral Program This research opportunity is an investigation, via aeolian/geomorphological modeling, of the present-day formation of protodunes (i.e., the sand patches that become dunes) on Mars. Studies of protodunes can improve our interpretation of dune distribution and activity, feeding into our understanding of Mars’s current nearsurface wind environment and sediment budget. Estimations of sand flux rates are important for improved interpretation of all dunes and wind patterns around Mars, and are used to constrain aeolian erosion rates that are used to estimate exposure times and particle transport distances. Past work has identified martian protodunes, some with distinctive ripple beds and some with observed changes. This research aims to tie these features and activity to wind and sand flux models to derive broader interpretations for wind patterns, dune formation on Mars, and aeolian transport and erosion rates.
References: Baddock, M.C., Nield, J.M. and Wiggs, G.F., 2018. Early-stage aeolian protodunes: Bedform development and sand transport dynamics. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 43(1), 339-346, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4242.
Field of Science
Planetary Science
Advisors Serina Diniega
serina.diniega@jpl.nasa.gov
(626) 720-7293
Note:
Applications from citizens of Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A full list of Designated Countries is available at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
Eligibility Eligibility is currently open to:
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
Qualifications
Experience with bedform evolution and/or sand flux models over ripples and/or dunes
Familiarity with aeolian process/wind model(s) application in Mars/planetary studies
Familiarity with relevant Martian observation datasets
Point of Contact Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
Degree: Doctoral Degree.
#J-18808-Ljbffr