This opportunity pertains to the use of reduced gravity environments for the advancement of science and the enabling of technologies for space exploration in the areas of combustion science, fluid physics, and biological and medical systems research. NASA Glenn Research Center has a world-class and unique suite of ground-based microgravity research facilities that include: a 2.2-second drop tower, a 5-second zero- gravity facility, and access to reduced-gravity aircraft. These facilities are utilized for 1) developing longer-duration space flight experiments to be conducted on the International Space Station, 2) conducting enabling research for NASA' s missions to the Moon and Mars and 3) conducting experiments where a reduced gravitational environment may provide unique insights into physical phenomena of interest to NASA. Focused research investigations are in the specific areas of high-pressure combustion, spacecraft fire safety, advanced life support systems and space physiology. Research is conducted in the physical sciences with an emphasis on gravitational effects on fundamental processes in such diverse areas as high pressure combustion, supercritical phase transition, supercritical water oxidation, colloids, material flammability, flame spread, aerosol dynamics, smoke detection, boiling and heat transfer. In the research area of the biological and medical systems this would include the development of compact, robust, multi-function biomedical sensors to monitor astronaut health and reduce levels of risk in NASA's exploration missions. Computational modeling is used to research the effects of a space environment on human physiology and to predict astronaut performance capabilities and medical needs. Well-equipped state-of-the-art laboratories are used to develop new diagnostic techniques/instruments especially suited for use in space and microgravity environments. The investigations provide new knowledge that is used to improve processes and equipment (energy, environment, manufacturing, and medical) used for the exploration of space both robotically and by long- duration manned missions.

Location:
Glenn Research Center
Cleveland, Ohio

Field of Science:Interdisciplinary/Other

Advisors:
David Urban
David.L.Urban@nasa.gov
216-433-2835

Jerry Myers
Jerry.G.Myers@nasa.gov
216-433-2864

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Doctoral Degree.