Post-Doctoral Fellow in Aqueous Thermodynamics for Planetary Science Applications
Prof. Matthew J. Powell-Palm
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Texas A&M University
Keywords: Materials Thermodynamics; Planetary Science; Phase Diagrams; Icy oceans; water and ice.
Post-doctoral position available to study the complex thermodynamics of multicomponent aqueous systems at the low-temperatures and high-pressures relevant to the many icy worlds in our solar systems that represent the best candidates to host life abroad. Position will combine theoretical/computational work with extensive experimentation to measure never-before-measured multiphase (2-, 3-, and 4-phase) equilibria in multi-component aqueous systems, generating both critical new reference data for the compositional analysis of high-pressure icy oceans and fundamental thermodynamic insight into the evolution of 3- and 4-phase equilibrium configurations with pressure and temperature. Work will culminate in full and deployable thermodynamic descriptions of multicomponent thermodynamic spaces, including 2-, 3-, and 4-dimensional phase diagrams, and may optionally include extension of the acquired data to pressing modeling and experimental design considerations in planetary science and cryobiology.
Minimum Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Materials Science, Planetary Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or other relevant field.
- Extremely strong foundation in classical materials thermodynamics.
- Experience in thermal metrology / measurement of multiphase equilibria, preferably in the high-temperature low-pressure regime.
- Experience in thermodynamic modeling in MATLAB or Python, preferably in the construction of phase diagrams or comprehensive equations of state.
- Excellent oral communication and written skills in English, with good organizational and analytical abilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in planetary science or water thermodynamics.
- Experience in device design within the thermal metrology space, and esp. with low-temperature or high-pressure applications
- Additional experience in thermodynamic modeling relevant to icy worlds, including compositional modeling of icy oceans, cryovolcanism, or related.
This position will be based out of Texas A&M University, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, and rely heavily on inter-institution collaborations with University of Washington and the University of Arkansas. There will be regular opportunities to travel to our many partner labs at different institutions around the country. Salary commensurate with experience, and guaranteed to be above NIH standards.
Applications should be sent to powellpalm@tamu.edu with the subject line
“Postdoc Aqueous Thermodyanmics” and addressed to Prof. Matt Powell-Palm, and should contain a brief cover letter or statement of interest, an up-to-date CV, and the names / contact details of 2-3 professional or academic references.
