Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Post Doctoral Research Scholar

Phoenix, AZ

About Intuitive Machines:

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With multiple NASA lunar missions in development and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety. 

About the Position:

We are seeking a highly independent, publication-driven lunar scientist to conduct integrated analysis of lunar remote-sensing datasets (imaging, DTMs, spectral/photometric products), with emphasis on lunar polar terrains and PSRs, and to help the LROC and ShadowCam teams deliver mission products, science results, and program obligations. The successful candidate will lead and publish lunar geoscience research using LROC and ShadowCam (and complementary lunar datasets as appropriate) to address key questions aligned with mission priorities and community science drivers (including Decadal Survey themes). The successful candidate will present results at internal instrument/mission meetings and at professional conferences; prepare manuscripts and (as appropriate) contribute to competitive proposals. The position will be funded 50/50 between LROC and ShadowCam.

Requirements: 

• Demonstrated expertise in lunar geology, especially polar geomorphology, regolith processes, and/or PSR science. 
• Proven ability to work with integrated datasets (image + DTM + spectral/photometric products) and translate them into publishable science results.
• Experience using planetary image processing/analysis software, especially ISIS3. 
• Strong publication record and excellent written/oral communication; ability to collaborate with scientists, engineers, and operations staff, and willingness to mentor students or junior staff as opportunities arise. 

Technical skills

• Direct experience with LROC and/or ShadowCam datasets and their operational constraints (lighting geometry, photometric normalization, controlled products). 
• Strong skills with GIS for analysis, mapping, and data aggregation (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS). 
• Demonstrated quantitative methods background (statistics, data mining/time series, image processing, and/or scientific programming). 
• (Optional but valued) Experience calibrating and operating ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared and/or thermal infrared instruments, especially spectrophotometers and camera systems

US EEO Statement:

Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.