Post-Doctoral Lunar Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

Post-Doctoral Lunar Scientist

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 (images, DTMs, spectral/photometric products), with emphasis on geomorphology and impact cratering.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the LROC and ShadowCam teams to deliver mission products, scientific results, and programmatic commitments.
• Lead lunar geoscience investigations using LROC, ShadowCam, and complementary lunar datasets to address mission priorities and key community science objectives.
• Conduct and publish original research aligned with lunar exploration goals and Decadal Survey science themes.
• Analyze and interpret remote sensing and geospatial datasets to advance understanding of the lunar surface and environment.
• Present scientific findings at instrument team meetings, mission reviews, workshops, and professional conferences.
• Prepare and author peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, technical reports, and scientific publications.
• Contribute to the development of competitive research proposals and support mission-related funding initiatives.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure scientific objectives are integrated into mission planning and execution.
• Support the delivery of science data products and related documentation to stakeholders, sponsors, and the broader scientific community.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated expertise in lunar geology, especially cratering physics, ejecta emplacement, and regolith processes.
• Proven ability to work with integrated datasets (image + DTM + spectral/photometric products) and translate them into significant science results.

• Experience examining remote sensing datasets in the context of planning future scientific observations and landing site/traversal planning and hazard assessment.
• 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.
• Direct experience with LROC and/or ShadowCam datasets and their operational constraints (lighting geometry, photometric normalization, controlled products).
• Experience using planetary image processing/analysis software, especially ISIS3.
• Strong skills with GIS for analysis, geologic mapping, and data curation/archival (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
• Demonstrated quantitative methods background (statistics, data mining/time series, image processing, and/or scientific programming).

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.