Employment and Research Opportunities

Please check back at a later time for any new openings. Thank you.

Please check back at a later time for any new openings. Thank you.

Program overview

The mission of the Exploration Fellowships is to foster a leading, interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowship program in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at ASU by attracting and supporting outstanding early-career scientists. Research areas within the School encompass theoretical and observational astronomy, cosmology, astrobiology, earth sciences, climate science, planetary sciences, exploration systems engineering, astronomical instrumentation, and science education. Applicants whose dissertation research was in any of these research areas, and especially those with aspirations to extend their portfolios in an interdisciplinary way, are encouraged to apply.

The Exploration Fellowship program typically appoints up to two new Fellows per year for three-year fellowship durations. Fellows are selected through a competitive proposal process in the fall. Watch the website for information about future fellowship opportunities.

All current Exploration Fellows receive:

• Competitive annual stipend, health benefits, and support programs (postdoc resources and  guidelines at ASU)
• Discretionary research funds
• Personal career mentoring through association with two primary faculty mentors in the School of Earth and Space Exploration
• Independence in research direction and activities

Read about former and current Exploration Fellows and their research interests.

Exploration Fellowship in Earth and Space Science FY24

The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University invites applications for the postdoctoral research scholar position of Exploration Fellow. The mission of the 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 theoretical and observational astrophysics, astrobiology, cosmology, geology, Earth surface processes, planetary science, instrumentation and systems engineering, and science education. Anticipated start date for the position is July 2023.  Incoming Fellows will receive a competitive stipend with health benefits, plus discretionary research funds.  A relocation allowance will also be provided.  The initial appointment is for one year with subsequent annual renewal for up to a total of three years, contingent upon satisfactory performance, the needs of the university, and availability of resources.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (https://thecollege.asu.edu/faculty) at ASU values cultural and intellectual diversity, and continually strives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are especially interested in applicants who will be able to add to the diversity of the academic community of the College.

Interested candidates should contact two faculty members in SESE to discuss potential collaborative research topics and determine whether they would agree to serve as an Exploration Fellow mentor. Preference will be given to proposals that include interdisciplinary research spanning multiple research areas within SESE.

Essential duties of the position:  The successful applicant will conduct original research, document results, and write journal articles, and present at scientific meetings.

Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. by the time of appointment in a field relevant to Earth and Space exploration, including (but not limited to) astrophysics, physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and engineering.  Candidates must be within five years from receipt of the doctoral degree.

Desired Qualifications: (1) 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, (2) a record of prior achievement and experience demonstrating the potential to accomplish proposed research objectives, (3) demonstrated experience or future commitment to work with diverse student, faculty, and staff populations, and (4) evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills.

To apply, please submit to http://apply.interfolio.com/116443 to include the following:

• A cover letter identifying the proposed research topic and the names of the two faculty mentors
• A current curriculum vitae
• A research proposal not longer than five pages (including figures and references)
• A diversity statement summarizing past and planned efforts to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
• One paper exemplifying the applicant’s research
• Contact information for three references

Deadline for initial review of complete applications will be December 15, 2022.  Letters of reference will be requested with a deadline of December 22, 2022. 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 closed.

Postdoctoral benefits can be found at:  https://cfo.asu.edu/new-employee-orientation

More information about the Exploration Fellowship can be found at:

http://sese.asu.edu/exploration-fellowship

More information about the department can be found here: https://sese.asu.edu/

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, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. (See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.)

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 480-965-3456.

COVID-19 Vaccination - Arizona State University is a federal contractor and subject to federal regulations which may require you to produce a record of a COVID-19 vaccination.  For questions about medical or religious accommodations, please visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s webpage: https://cfo.asu.edu/workplace-accommodations

Program overview - 2023

The Beus Center for Cosmic Foundations at Arizona State University invites applications for the inaugural postdoctoral research scholar position of Beus Prize Fellow. The Center brings together observational and theoretical astrophysicists, educators, instrument builders, and engineers to advance our knowledge of the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. Beginning with the first stars and galaxies, the explosive deaths of successive generations of stars seeded galaxies with elements, creating cosmic ecosystems of stellar birth, death, and gas recycling, leading to a global peak and decline of star formation in the Universe. The Center aims to accelerate research into these complex processes throughout cosmic time. We seek to foster and support an inclusive community of early-career scientists who will lead the next great discoveries to better understand our place in the cosmos and enhance the societal impacts of this research.

This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date approximately July 2023. The initial appointment is for one year with subsequent annual renewal for up to two additional years contingent upon satisfactory performance, the needs of the university, and availability of resources. This position comes with an annual fiscal-year salary of $77,250, an annual discretionary research budget of $15,450, and an allocation for moving expenses.

Essential duties of the position: The successful applicant will conduct original research addressing important questions in their field, document findings and publish high-impact results, present at scientific meetings, engage in research collaborations, and help enhance the societal impacts of science and engineering through community outreach or other activities.

 Visit the Beus Prize Fellowship webpage for full details and description.

Postdoctoral Research Scholar or Assistant Research Scientist in 21cm Observing and Analysis

School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE)

Arizona State University

We invite applications for postdoctoral research scholar or assistant research scientist positions in 21cm data analysis.  We are seeking to fill up to two positions to conduct research on one or both of the following areas of emphasis: executing a 21cm observing program on the Owens Valley Long Wavelength Array (OVRO-LWA) and investigating Bayesian analysis of 21cm data with multiple experiments. The successful candidate(s) will work with Professors Danny Jacobs and Judd Bowman in the Low-Frequency Cosmology Laboratory and collaborate extensively with Dr. Steven Murray.

Observing Program: The successful candidate with this emphasis will carry out a program of deep 21cm observing using the newly upgraded OVRO-LWA with the goal of making ground-breaking limits at high redshift.  Program elements will include characterizing the response of the instrument, developing a pipeline which takes advantage of significant new resources, and generation of new results. Collaborating with OVRO engineering and science teams and with easy access to the telescope, the successful applicant will have a unique opportunity for developing and testing novel instrumental and analysis techniques.

Bayesian Analysis: The successful candidate with this emphasis will develop and apply sophisticated statistical models of systematic uncertainty to both global and interferometric redshifted 21cm observations.  Investigations may include development of the computational and theoretical machinery to enable joint parameter inference with propagated systematics and signal models, analysis of EDGES observations for deeper and more rigorous results using the new EDGES-3 instrument, development and application of a new statistical model of instrumental systematics to low-band HERA Phase II data and/or the OVRO-LWA, and combined inference from global signal and power spectrum observations with EDGES-3 and HERA Phase II.  The enormous sample of posterior models produced, including lightcones and power spectra, will be a rich training set for machine learning models currently being investigated within the 21cm cosmology community.  The intent is to make these models publicly accessible via an interactive JupyterHub server to promote their broad utility.

The positions are full-time, benefits-eligible positions with anticipated start dates of approximately July 2023. The initial appointments are for one year with subsequent annual renewals for at least two more years contingent upon satisfactory performance, the needs of the university, and the availability of resources.  The positions come with an annual fiscal-year salary of $70,000-$85,000, depending on experience, and an allocation for moving expenses.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (https://thecollege.asu.edu/faculty) at ASU values cultural and intellectual diversity, and continually strives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are especially interested in applicants who will be able to add to the diversity of the academic community of the College.

Essential functions of the positions:  The successful applicant(s) will conduct original research advancing 21cm data analysis and/or systematic modeling, document findings and publish high-impact results, present at scientific meetings, engage in research collaborations, and support community outreach or other activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in a related field by the time of appointment, including (but not limited to) astrophysics, physics, and computer science.
2. Applicants within four years of their Ph.D. award date will be considered for a postdoctoral position.  Applicants beyond four years will be considered for an assistant research scientist position.

Desired Qualifications:

 (1) Relevant experience in astrophysics research, statistical data analysis, and/or software development

 (2) A record of prior achievement and experience that shows the applicant’s potential to accomplish research and/or development objectives

(3) Evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills

(4) Evidence of ability to work well independently and in a team

(5) A demonstrated commitment to supporting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion

Arizona State University is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing institutions of higher learning in the United States.  An essential part of the university’s mission is promoting interdisciplinary science by integrating science and engineering. Center faculty and their research groups benefit from a variety of state-of-the-art facilities including high-performance computing, access to the 2x8.4m Large Binocular Telescope, 6.5m MMT telescope, 6.5m Magellan telescopes and a host of 2m-class telescopes owned and operated by the State of Arizona. ASU is a partner in the Giant Magellan Telescope, Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array, and Owens Valley Radio Observatory Long Wavelength Array.  It is participating in the CMB-S4 consortium and is a member of the Simons Observatory, Toltec project, and several astrophysics sub-orbital class programs.

To apply, please submit to https://apply.interfolio.com/116467 and include the following:

• Cover letter
• Current curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three references
• A research overview not longer than eight pages (including figures and references) including a summary of your current and previous work
• A statement addressing how your past and/or potential contributions to diversity and inclusion will advance ASU's commitment to inclusive excellence

The deadline for initial review of complete applications will be Friday, December 16, 2022.  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 closed.

Postdoctoral benefits can be found at: https://cfo.asu.edu/new-employee-orientation

Assistant Research Scientist staff benefits can be found at: https://cfo.asu.edu/benefits

More information about the department can be found here: https://sese.asu.edu/

A background check is required for employment. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

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, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis protected by the law. http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401, http://www.asu.edu/titleIX/

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 480-965-3456.

COVID-19 Vaccination - Arizona State University is a federal contractor and subject to federal regulations which may require you to produce a record of a COVID-19 vaccination.  For questions about medical or religious accommodations, please visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s webpage: https://cfo.asu.edu/workplace-accommodations

Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Solar, Stellar, and Exoplanet Research

The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE)

Arizona State University

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position to work in collaboration with Professor Evgenya Shkolnik at the School for Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University (ASU) on Solar, Stellar, and Exoplanet Research. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2023. This position offers a competitive salary, funding for travel, and a relocation allowance. This is a fiscal-year appointment for one year with potential subsequent renewal for up to two additional years contingent upon satisfactory performance, the needs of the university and availability of resources.

SESE unites earth and planetary scientists with astronomers and has strong collaborative ties with several other academic units at ASU while maintaining core strengths and developing new transdisciplinary links among the sciences.

The postdoctoral research scholar will have opportunities to lead aspects of their research and subsequent publications and will have full access to world-class telescopes and instruments through the Arizona telescope system, along with access to national ground- and space-based facilities. The Arizona telescope system provides access to the 11-meter equivalent Large Binocular Telescope on Mt. Graham, the 6.5-meter MMT on Mt. Hopkins, the 2.2-meter Bok telescope on Kitt Peak (all in Arizona), and the twin 6.5-meter Magellan telescopes at Las Campanas Observatories in Chile, along with several smaller telescopes. These facilities have a large suite of state-of-the-art instruments, providing both imaging and spectroscopy at both optical and near-infrared wavelengths. In addition, SESE hosts an interdisciplinary theoretical program, laboratories for the development of state-of-the-art instrumentation, and extensive computing facilities, including in-house parallel supercomputers.

SESE is an interdisciplinary department, bringing together all of Earth and space science at ASU, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, and geology.  ASU faculty and scientists benefit from access to many telescopes, including the 6.5m Magellan telescopes in Chile, the 2x8.4m Large Binocular Telescope, the 6.5m MMT telescope, and a host of 2m-class telescopes owned and operated by the State of Arizona.  ASU is also a partner in the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT).  Read more about SESE at https://sese.asu.edu/.

Minimum qualifications include:

1. A Ph.D. in Physics, Astrophysics, Heliophysics, or closely related field by the start date of appointment
2. Candidates must be within four years from receipt of the doctoral degree.

Desired qualifications include:

1.  A background in solar and/or stellar observations, experience with analyzing solar and stellar high-energy radiation environments, specifically looking at ultraviolet and X-ray photons and energetic particles, including those from coronal mass ejections, as these are of critical importance to understanding the evolution, chemistry, and habitability of exoplanets. 

To apply, please submit to http://apply.interfolio.com/112830 to include the following:

• A cover letter
• Contact information for three references
• A curriculum vitae with a publication list
• A statement of past research accomplishments and future research goals (three pages or less)
• A statement addressing how your past and/or potential contributions to diversity and inclusion will advance ASU's commitment to inclusive excellence (1 page)

Deadline for initial review of complete applications will be October 2, 2022.  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 closed.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (https://thecollege.asu.edu/faculty) at ASU values cultural and intellectual diversity, and continually strives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are especially interested in applicants who can strengthen the College diversity of the academic community.

A background check is required for employment. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

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, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

(See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.)

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 480-965-3456.

"COVID-19 Vaccination - Arizona State University is a federal contractor and subject to federal regulations which may require you to produce a record of a COVID-19 vaccination. For questions about medical or religious accommodations, please visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s webpage."

Please check back at a later time for any new openings. Thank you.

Many of our faculty offer research opportunities for graduate student research (MS, PhD); below are just a few specific opportunities. We encourage you to visit our Research Facilities page and contact individual faculty members for opportunities.

Astrobiology

The ASU Astrobiology Team invites exceptional students to join us in the search for habitable environments and life beyond Earth. Our research program, centered on the theme "Follow the Elements", aims to develop strategies that will be used in future exploration of our Solar System and of planets orbiting other stars in our galaxy. This program integrates multiple disciplines, degree programs and academic units at ASU and offers opportunities for direct student involvement with NASA missions. Please visit the ASU Astrobiology webpage to learn more.

Ecohydrology

Two M.S./Ph.D. assistantships in hydrology/water resources are available starting in the Spring or Fall 2010. The assistantships can be either in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment or the School of Earth and Space Exploration. The two projects will focus on: (1) Ecohydrology of grassland-shrubland transitions to identify controls of hydrologic connectivity at multiple scales; and (2) Seasonality effects on the ecohydrology of the North American monsoon region at the catchment to regional scale. Each assistantship will require data collection, numerical modeling and data synthesis efforts in field sites in Arizona, New Mexico or Sonora, Mexico. Preference will be given to highly-motivated Ph.D. students with strong quantitative skills. For inquiries, contact Prof. Enrique R. Vivoni at vivoni@asu.edu.

NASA Space Grant

The ASU/NASA Space Grant Program awards at least 1.5 graduate fellowships for an academic year or three fellowships for a semester (fall or spring) for a proposed public outreach or informal education project focused on promoting science literacy, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This can be accomplished through educational outreach, knowledge transfer, technology transfer, science for society, and/or the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Successful candidates will identify an "educational outreach advisor" from the organization or institution (i.e., a school, museum, park/forest, or an existing educational program) they have proposed to work with. It is recommended but not a requirement that the project benefit those traditionally underrepresented. The formal or informal education proposal can be closely related with area of research, but research is not the primary focus of the fellowship. Since fellowships are very limited, projects are usually awarded for one semester. However, applications should include plans for how the project could be sustained past the time of the award. 

Graduate Fellowship applications are available each spring for the following academic year with a mid-April due date. Fellowships include a stipend of $9,100 per semester for a Master’s student or $9,600 for a PhD student, tuition (both in- and out-of-state), and health insurance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and full-time students at ASU. For more information, please refer to https://nasa.asu.edu/content/graduate-information. You can also be notified when applications are available by signing up for email notification at https://nasa.asu.edu/application-notification-list.

Paid Summer Research Programs

Most programs offer both a stipend and housing and travel support. Programs range across all STEM disciplines and all areas of the country. 70+ programs for graduate students through www.pathwaystoscience.org.

School of Earth and Space Exploration offers undergraduate students opportunities to participate in various research projects under the guidance of faculty and researchers. Some current opportunities are listed below.

NASA Space Grant

The ASU/NASA Space Grant Program awards approximately 20-30 undergraduate students from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for the academic year. Awardees are paid stipends with a value of $1,600 per semester. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and full-time students at ASU, sophomore or higher. Undergraduate Fellows work on a research project alongside upper-level graduate students, diverse faculty members, as well as scientists and engineers. Space Grant supports undergraduates by giving them opportunities to earn money while gaining valuable experience participating in research projects and educational outreach activities. Applications from women and underrepresented groups are also encouraged.

In addition their project, Space Grant undergraduate awardees are required to:

• Complete 20 hours of (unpaid) Informal Education
• Participate in the annual ASU/NASA Space Grant poster session
• Present at the Arizona Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Research Symposium

Undergraduate Fellowship applications are available each spring for the following academic year with a mid-May due date. Students are highly encouraged to have a faculty mentor selected prior to submitting an application. For those students without a faculty mentor, we have suggestions about how to find one on our Space Grant site. Please refer to https://nasa.asu.edu/content/undergraduate-information for more information. If you would like to be notified when the next round of applications opens, sign up here: https://nasa.asu.edu/application-notification-list.

Hydrologic Science and Engineering

Our research group is seeking undergraduates to assist in the development and execution of several research projects in hydrologic science and engineering. Funding for these positions comes from the Army Research Office, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. For inquiries, contact Prof. Enrique R. Vivoni at vivoni@asu.edu.

Submit a research opportunity

If you have a research project in which undergraduates can participate, please click the button below. Please provide a brief description of the project as well as a name and contact information for interested students.

Submit a research opportunity

Undergraduate Student Perspective

Leon Manfredi

Research summary and role: The Circum-Hellas Volcanic Province (CHVP) on Mars is thought to be the oldest example of point source volcanism on the planet. Using daytime-infrared images acquired by the THEMIS camera onboard the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, mosaics were constructed of several regions surrounding the CHVP that appear to be volcanic in origin. Crater counts were then performed on these surfaces to determine if they are temporally related to known volcanism in the CHVP. Cratering model formation ages for these surfaces, 3.4-3.8 Ga, are similar to those of the volcanoes within the CHVP, 3.6-3.8 Ga. This research is significant because determining the age and extent of the CHVP may provide clues as to when and why there was a transition from fissure eruptions to point source volcanism.

Paid Summer Research Programs

Most programs offer both a stipend and housing and travel support. Programs range across all STEM disciplines and all areas of the country. 600+ programs for undergraduate students through www.pathwaystoscience.org.

UROCKS (Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Cave and Karst Science)
James Madison University

UROCKS is the first and only REU dedicated to study different aspects of cave and karst research in the US. We are currently looking for 10 undergraduates for the duration of the program (May 22nd to July 28th, 2023). Successful applicants will be provided with the following:

• $600/week stipend + $100/week for food allowance
• Transportation (airfare or mileage)
• Housing (10 weeks)
• Professional development sessions
• Social events
• Field and lab experience

UROCKS is open to everyone who is enrolled as an undergraduate at a two or four-year US-based institution.  Per NSF regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, naturalized citizens, or permanent residents of the United States.  Applicants must be rising sophomore, junior, or senior undergraduate students at the start of the REU.  Applicants must be willing to commit for the entire 10-week residential summer program. Students from underrepresented groups and first generation college students are highly encouraged to apply.

To learn more and apply, please visit https://www.jmu.edu/geology/urocks/index.shtml

Application deadline is January 31, 2023. Send inquiries to Dr. Ángel A Garcia Jr: garci4aa@jmu.edu (an ASU SESE alumnus!)

Undergraduate Research Internships in Seismology (URISE) - Summer 2023

URISE interns spend 8 to 10 weeks applying their math, physics, and geoscience knowledge to explore Earth processes and its interior. Research projects may involve the deployment of seismic instruments in the field (within the US or internationally), and/or analyses of seismic data in a lab setting with the ultimate goal of producing results to be presented at a national scientific meeting. Interns receive a weekly stipend, support for travel and housing, and full funding to attend the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. See intern projects from 2022 to gain a sense of the possibilities.

We are excited to receive applications from students representing the full spectrum of society, as well as students with lived experiences such as students with disabilities, veterans, and non-traditional students!

To learn more and apply, please visit the Undergraduate Research Internships in Seismology website.

The deadline for students is February 1 and the deadline for mentors is February 15.