Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

The Planetary Surfaces and Spacecraft Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park is hiring multiple postdoctoral researchers. We are looking for experimentalists with experience working with vacuum systems, plasma physics, and/or granular materials and an interest in developing technology to remove lunar regolith from spacesuits and solar panels. The goal of this project is to demonstrate the functionality of a specialized lunar “lint roller” that uses synthetic gecko skin to remove dust, rather than a traditional adhesive. Additionally, we will be developing a cleaning appliance to make the gecko roller reusable. One investigator will build and operationalize a new UHV chamber system and test the gecko roller at lunar-relevant pressures. Other investigators will design, build and test the efficacy of the cleaning appliance. The postdoctoral investigators will work with Dr. Christine Hartzell and other team members (postdocs, grad students, and undergrad students) to mature this technology, and present research results (via conferences and journal publications) to the wider planetary science and exploration community.

The appointment will be in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, full-time, for at least one year, renewable for a second year upon satisfactory performance. Remuneration will be competitive and based on qualifications.

The expected start date is Nov 2023, but may be delayed until Jan 2024 for the right candidate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to communicate with graduate students and sponsors

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.