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Research of sampling and in situ analysis for small body sample return mission

Details of research theme

【Individual Research】
Applicants are expected to conduct basic research needed for a mission planning of future sample return missions, such as the method of sampling and in situ analysis as well as scientific study of small body surface process and evolution. New technical proposals are welcome for the New Generation Small Body Sample Return mission under study.


【JAXA Project】
Small body sample return mission, including Hayabusa, Hayabusa2, and MMX, is recognized world-wide as a strong point of JAXA/ISAS. Inheritance, improvement, and new development of sampling technique is needed against a variety of surface conditions confronted in future missions. Comets are the target of future missions, whose uppermost surface layer is different from that of asteroids, probably a layer of dust, sintered and porous ices, so that new appropriate sampling methods (i.e., projectile impact, pneumatic, or coring) and their performance tests are required. An interface between the sampling device and a mass spectrometer is required, since volatile species and isotopes must be analyzed on site considering a long-term mission.
In this research, applicants are expected to conduct the conceptual study of sampling device and in situ mass spectrometry of collected samples for comet sample return mission, with science and engineering experts, and finally propose a proto-type instruments for an unknown target body.


【Human resources development unique to ISAS 】
Space science mission is realized in collaboration with scientific requirements and engineering feasibility studies. Sampling and in situ analysis is the boundary field, and attending the development from the conceptual study, the applicants have the opportunity to experience both studies in science and engineering fields and have wider field of views for space science. The applicants who are willing to design and develop the sampling and in situ analysis devices by themselves, taking account of the physical properties and geologic features of the target body.

 

 

<Scope of change in work> None

(If there is a change beyond the work related to the above work content, the contract will be revised)

Required abilities， qualities， and experience

(1) Experience of solar system science (especially in planetary science or cosmochemistry) or space engineering

(2) Capability of proceeding collaborative studies with domestic and foreign researchers and engineers, with good communication. 

(3) Better to have experience in design, manufacture, verification, operation, or data analysis of any kinds of instrumental or analytical devices.

Ratios（Project Contribution）

50%

Research environment after arriving at one’s post.

Applicants can use experimental, analytical, and numerical simulation devices in ISAS, used for the fast studies of sampling, sample transfer devices. Applicants are also supported for experiments used in the large impact experiment facility in ISAS, and also can be involved in the new development study of in situ mass spectrometry for degassed volatiles from samples.

 

Most of members of Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 missions and the Next Generation Small-body Sample Return WG members will support, especially for the instrument development in sampling and in situ analysis by Tatsuaki Okada, for astromaterials and cosmochemistry by Ryota Fukai, and for impact experiment by Yuri Shimaki.

Research supervisor/Prospective mentor

JAXA ISAS Department of Solar System Sciences  Associate Professor Tatsuaki Okada/Associate Professor Tatsuaki Okada, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Ryota Fukai

Location

JAXA Sagamihara Campus 

 

<Scope of change> If the organization conducts telework regularly, the location; if the location of work changes due to organizational reorganization, the location determined by the organization

Department

JAXA ISAS　Department of Solar System Sciences

 

Employment

3 years

 

・Contract of employment will be concluded each fiscal year.
・Applicants will not be hired as a permanent employee after the term of service.
・Employment period may be extended up to 3 years for the longest, in consideration of research evaluation every fiscal year.

Closing Date

August 30(Fri), 2024 17:00(JST)
* Closing Date is mandatory.
* Please note that you are not able to pre-apply during 1a.m.~5a.m.(JST) on the third Thursday of each month due to regular system maintenance. Thank you for avoiding the certain time.

Selection Schedule

The result of the first selection will be announced by the end of September, 2024.

Online Interview: Middle-October, 2024(Scheduled for October 16th)

* On the day of the event, you will be required to give a 10-minute presentation on your research plan and future career vision. Those who have passed the document screening will need to send the above presentation materials (PDF) by the interview date.

* Schedule is subject to change.

Attached document

 Please check the JAXA Aerospace Project Research Associate Recruitment page "Required Documents" of ISAS carefully before applying.

  

"FORM 2 Letter of Recommendation" (in PDF)

 

Letter of Recommendation must be attached by the applicant or sent by the recommender by email ( " isas-hrtask*ml.jaxa.jp ". Please change * to @)

If you do not send a Letter of Recommendation, your application will be invalid.

Contact information

Please enter "JAXA Aerospace Project Research Associate Recruitment" in the subject line and send.

Please refrain from making inquiries other than those related to recruitment.

 

■For specific inquiries about the research theme;

  ISAS Department of Solar System Sciences  Associate Professor Tatsuaki Okada: okada.tatsuaki*jaxa.jp 

■For general inquiries

JAXA HR Office: jaxacareer*jaxa.jp

 

Please change * to @ above.

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