NASA Johnson Space Center
Planetary Astronomy Group

Paid Student Research Assistantships in Planetary Astronomy
A partnership with the NASA Johnson Space Center Planetary Astronomy Group

Funded through grants from
- NASA (Minority University and College Education and Research Partnership Initiative in Space Science)
- Research Corporation

All positions are currently filled. Future postings may include the following, and you are always welcome to speak to Dr. Lederer about potential future openings – when openings become available they are often filled quickly and this way she’ll know you’re interested already and should contact you directly.

Are you interested in studying comets and asteroids?  Research projects may include:

  • Hypervelocity impact experiments: Using the Experimental Impact Laboratory at NASA Johnson Space Center, study the potential spectral and chemical changes in comet dust resulting from collisions.
  • Spitzer Infrared Space Telescope project: Spectroscopy of comets to search for spectral lines, indicative of their chemical makeup
  • Hayabusa Spacecraft mission project: Photometry of near-Earth asteroid Itokawa
  • Deep Impact Spacecraft mission project: Data of Comet Tempel 1 to be collected in Summer, 2005 when the spacecraft encounters the comet
  • Image processing of comet and asteroid data to determine their chemical and physical properties
  • Traveling to a professional observatory to use telescopes
  • Limited availability of summer research positions at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX to work directly with the NASA Johnson Space Center Planetary Astronomy Group (40 hrs/week; NOT guaranteed)

Qualifications: CSUSB students. Preferred majors: physics, computer science. You’ll work 3-10 hrs/wk at CSUSB during school year, schedule dependent.

Desired skills: (Do not worry if you do not have all these skills) Computer skills, computer programming, Linux background, physics knowledge, astronomy knowledge

Application should include:

  • Resume (include all computer experience)
  • PAWS report or current transcript; transcripts from previous colleges
  • Transcripts from any other colleges you’ve attended
  • Roughly 1 page description of goals and interests that includes:
    • why you are interested in this position
    • what your career goals are
    • what research experience(s) you have
  •  List of 3 to 4 professional References (e.g. previous employers, professors, research advisors) that includes:
    • Name, telephone number, email address
    • How your references know you
  • Completed application form (can be found in an envelope on the board outside PS 111)

Submit directly to Dr. Lederer (PS-111, email: slederer@csusb.edu) and schedule a time to discuss why you are interested in this position with her as soon as possible.

Women, minorities, and interested CSUSB students are strongly encouraged to apply
New Assistantships not currently available