The Institute for Astronomy (IfA) invites applications for postdoctoral fellows with a strong interest in astrobiology to collaborate with the University of Hawaii's NASA Astrobiology Institute lead team members. The UH lead team will maintain an innovative multi-disciplinary research environment linking biological, microbiological, chemical, geological and astronomical sciences to investigate the origin, history, distribution and role of water as it relates to life in the universe. The core of this program will center around interactions with an interdisciplinary group of postdoctoral fellows. Areas of primary research collaboration will be:

• formation and measurement of astrobiologically important molecules such as sugars, aminoacids, carboxylic acids, carbon homologoues, hopanes, steranes, and head to head isoprenoids, as well as interpretation of the redox environment as it pertains to life in water-rich extraterrestrial ice analog samples,
• star formation (IR spectroscopy of sources in and behind dark clouds; sub-mm interferometry of disks),
• studies of small solar system primitive bodies (including both IR spectra, and isotopic studies),
• modeling the incorporation of water into pre-planetary grains;
• mineralogy, petrology and isotope (D/H) chemistry of aqueously-altered carbonaceous chondrites;
• incorporation of water into planetary bodies, its cycling between surface and interior and its subsequent loss to space;
• aqueous alteration on Mars;
• evolution and diversity of microorganisms, especially those living in extreme and unusual Earth environments;
• experimental and field investigation of indigenous microbiota and energetics of potential metabolic pathways in ocean crust and mantle rocks as analogs for early Earth habitats;
• the ecology and biogeochemistry of extreme aqueous environments on the Earth, including subglacial lakes, high-altitude lakes and fumaroles as analogs to habitats elsewhere in the solar system;
• the development of astrobiological instruments; and
• models of theoretical ocean-bearing extrasolar planets and their remote characterization
• the development of collaborative multidisciplinary computing techniques.

Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. and and the expertise appropriate for the specific research focus selected by the applicant. This could include (but is not limited to):

• Expertise in infrared astronomical spectroscopy and research experience in star formation, circumstellar disks, or small solar system bodies
• Experience with astronomical sub-millimeter spectroscopy & interferometry
• Background in experimental physical chemistry (reaction dynamics, photo- chemistry, charged and neutral particle sources and high vacuum technology)
• Experience with solar nebula models
• Familiarity with basic analyses of seawater based fluids, microbial molecular genetic techniques, and thermodynamic modeling of fluid-rock solution systems;
• Strong research programming skills (Java/C++/other) with an interest in collaborative computing and/or artificial intelligence.
• Experience with scanning and transmission electron microscopy, electron and ion microprobes; experience in geo/cosmochemistry or physicochemistry.
• Experience in marine microbial ecology and biogeochemistry
• Molecular Biology and microbiology techniques
• Modeling of upper atmospheric chemistry and physics
• Analysis of remote sensing of terrestrial surface and atmosphere
• Experience in the design and construction of instrumentation

The successful candidates will have access to unequaled astronomical observing facilities at the Mauna Kea and Haleakala observatories, an Ultra-High Vacuum Surface scattering machine, a 5 spectrometer electron microprobe and scanning electron microscope, a prototype Cryobot, fully-equipped molecular biology and microbiology laboratories, the R/V Kilo Moana oceanographic research ship, and the University of Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory. In addition, successful candidates will be in close proximity to a variety of unique aquatic habitats (open ocean, high-altitude lakes, fumaroles). Appointments will be up to 3 years assuming satisfactory progress. Fellows will receive a stipend of $4,333 per mo, a relocation allowance and small research budget. Fellows may apply for a subsequent 2 year position as senior fellows.