Posting DetailsPosition Information Job Title Professional Expert/Researcher to Support NASA Grant Research Classification TitleDepartment School of Math & Science Dept RankTenure Information Other Campus Introduction About College of the DesertThe College of the Desert, Desert Community College District enrolls approximately 15,000 students each academic year with steady enrollment growth each year. College of the Desert embraces diversity in all forms and the right of all people to have access to quality higher education in a safe learning environment. Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), College of the Desert administers an array of student programs specifically focused on student support and helping students achieve their educational and career goals. As a two-year college, we offer Associates Degree for Transfer, both in Art and Sciences, Associates Degrees, and Certificates across a wide range of disciplines.College of the Desert is a district that consists of leadership, staff, and faculty who are committed to enhancing our community through supporting the academic success of all of our students including students of color, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students of all ages, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, dreamers , and students of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression.When you join College of the Desert you can expect to be part of a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community. We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences, emphasizes collaboration, and engages students in and out of the classroom. We are committed to ensuring that College of the Desert is a welcoming place for the success of all students.Interested in learning more about College of the Desert and the Coachella Valley? Visit the links below.
- The Community - Coachella Valley
- College of the Desert / State of the College
- President's Message
Who We WantCollege of the Desert is seeking individuals from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. As such, we prioritize individuals who fully demonstrate their understanding of the community we serve, the benefits of diversity in a professional and educational setting, and values creating a culture that brings people together. A successful candidate will value working in a collegial, collaborative environment that is guided by a commitment to inclusion, student education, and equity. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:
- Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as faculty, staff and leadership for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;
- Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;
- Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;
- Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and
- Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives.
Job Description Basic Function: College of the Desert (COD) has been awarded a grant from NASA. This grant aims to investigate the feasibility of performing inSitu Resource Utilization (ISRU) to support future human exploration to Mars. ISRU will include the possibility of the extraction of Oxygen and Hydrogen from the Martian perchlorate and chlorate existed on the Recurring Slope Lineae and from another potential rich localities on Mars.Working Conditions: Working Environment: lab environment and handling chemicals.Essential Duties Duties/Responsibilities:Incumbent will work with a team of researchers and undergraduate students to develop, test, mentor, and manage this research. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Ordering of electrode materials
- Design and build of electrode housing
- Plan the synthesis of a catalyst
- Make and test a catalyst
- Develop a technique to extract oxygen and hydrogen
- Develop a technique to quantify oxygen and hydrogen
- Design, build, and test an electrolyzer
- Test the variation of the physical characteristics and membrane on the efficiency of the electrolysis
- Test the variation of the electrical variations and membrane on the efficiency of the electrolysis
- Develop a technique of testing different brines with Martian regolith
- Synthesis different brines at five different concentrations
- Test brine electrolysis at different temperatures
- Test mixed brine electrolysis at different temperatures
- Test mixed brine electrolysis with Martian regolith at different concentrations and different temperatures
- Data management
- Coordinate instrumentation and training
- Develop different conceptual design of the instrument
- Define and test variables of the instrument
- Develop a stress test for the instrument
- Build prototypes of the instrument
- Test different instrument design at different concentrations, different temperatures, voltages, spacing under Martian environment
- Design and integrate two instruments for the extraction of oxygen and hydrogen
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Data interpretations
- Drafting results into publication
- Plan, contact, and do site visits to k-12
Knowledge OfAbility ToMinimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's degree in one of the following fields: Physics, Chemical Engineering, or Space and Planetary Science.
- Experience in electrolysis, dry electrolysis, regolith mixed brine electrolysis.
Preferred Qualifications Preferred Experience:A researcher with expertise on Mars surface features, composition, and structure (please provide your list of publications).
- Knowledge and experience working with Martian regolith analogs and icy regolith.
- Developed and or participated in the development of instrument/s for space exploration.
- Expert in writing in scientific journals.
- Experience in mentoring undergraduate students.
Salary Range/RateSalary Detail Information Salary Information:A stipend will be provided of $2800.00 a month, for the first 6 months, with an opportunity to extend the position an additional year (depending on grant fund availability).Posting Detail Information Posting Number 24-079-f Open Date 12/13/2024 Close Date 01/05/2025 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicants SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS SUMMARYRequired Attachments: Applications missing any of the required documents listed will not be considered. The following documents are required at the time of application:
- Resume: Must include length of employment (month/year start & end dates) for each employer.
- Cover Letter: Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.
- Unofficial Transcripts: Must be from an accredited institution, show name of institution, degree awarded, discipline, and date awarded. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.
IN YOUR APPLICATION :
- List of Professional References: References should include at two supervisors and two colleagues. Please include name, title, email, and current phone numbers for all references in your application. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted in lieu of the required addition of Professional References.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
- College of the Desert does not offer sponsorship nor take over sponsorship for an employment VISA.
- Employment is contingent on residence in California.