The National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in Al, Ain, UAE invites applications for a Senior Researcher position in planetary science related to the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM). EMM launched in July 2020 to study the influence of Mars' climate and lower atmosphere on the escape of oxygen and hydrogen from its upper atmosphere, what atmospheric processes drive diurnal variations, and how energy is transferred from the lower-middle atmosphere to the upper atmosphere.
We are looking for an experienced researcher with several years' experience post-Ph.D. and a strong track record in a relevant field to propose, lead, and develop their own research program related to EMM within the existing Planetary Science group at NSSTC. The anticipated start date is likely to be sometime during late Fall 2020. The research program should be in a scientific field relevant to EMM, and complementary to existing expertise and experience within the Planetary Science group. The group's existing Mars expertise is in planetary climate modelling, data assimilation, the dust cycle, and other physical processes relevant to Mars' lower atmosphere and climate. The Senior Researcher's expertise could be in the upper atmosphere, surface or subsurface, polar science, atmospheric retrievals, ionosphere, atmospheric chemistry, solar-planetary interactions, or anything else that makes use of the data coming from EMM. We are particularly interested in proposals making use of the Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS). The proposal should plan to make use of EMM's publicly-available dataset.
The Senior Researcher will devote all of their time to their proposed research program and to developing the planetary science group at NSSTC. Once in post, we anticipate they will apply for additional funding to expand their research program, and supervise research assistants, students, and postdoctoral researchers in due course.